WEEKLY RELEASE

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV returns home looking to keep the momentum from a hot 2-0 start at the UTRGV Invitational last weekend. The Rebels won their first two games of the season for just the sixth time and scored the most goals ever (nine) in the opening weekend in program history.

Redshirt freshman Michalea Morris' much-anticipated collegiate debut did not disappoint as the forward netted four goals in the wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Morris' first-career goal came on Friday in the 48th minute of a 0-0 game, while her second came just 16 minutes later to give UNLV the lead for good in the eventual 3-1 victory. Morris didn't do it all by herself, however, as redshirt senior Susie Bernal started her final season on a high note, assisting on both of Morris' goals in the win. Fellow senior Lily Sender added an insurance goal in the 84th minute.

The scoring explosion continued on Sunday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, as it was Morris again finding the net in the eighth minute for what proved to be the winning goal in the 6-0 victory over the Islanders. Morris tallied her second goal of the day and fourth of the weekend in the 58th minute. Bernal had another stellar game, scoring a goal of her own and hooking up with Morris again twice -- a combination the Rebels hope to keep seeing throughout the season. After collecting a goal on Friday, Sender registered three assists to tie Bernal's single-game record that was set back in 2013. Senior Brittany Gideon also turned in a great performance on the weekend, with an assist in Friday's game and two goals in Sunday's win, while true freshman Katie Ballou scored her first-career goal as a Rebel in the 76th minute Sunday.

The defense was stout in both games, giving up just one goal on 15 shots over the weekend, including just two on Sunday against the Islanders. Junior keeper Jordan Sallee registered seven saves, while Sallee and fellow junior keeper Jessie Clark combined for the first shutout of the season Sunday.

With the two wins, UNLV took first in the invitational and placed a tournament-high five players on the UTRGV All-Tournament team. The team included defender Chidera Akubuilo, along with Ballou, Sender, Morris and Bernal.

As part of the annual UNLV Invitational, there will be a total of four games at Peter Johann Memorial Field on UNLV's campus on Friday and Sunday. The 4 p.m. game on Friday will feature UC Davis vs. Eastern Washington, followed by UNLV vs. Northern Arizona at 7 p.m. Sunday's early matchup has UC Davis and NAU facing off at 10:30 a.m., while UNLV and Eastern Washington will play at 1 p.m. Visit unlvtickets.com to purchase tickets.

-UNLV-