CSU Bakersfield (2-5-1) at UNLV (5-2-0)
Friday, Sept. 16
7 p.m. at Peter Johann Memorial Field
CSU Fullerton (3-4-0) at UNLV (5-2-0)
Sunday, Sept. 18
1 p.m. at Peter Johann Memorial Field
- Live VideoAfter two-consecutive weekends on the road, the Rebels finally return home for the next two for four-straight home games, including the last two non-conference matchups before Mountain West play begins. First up is CSU Bakersfield on Friday at 7 p.m., followed by Cal State Fullerton on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
It will be an action packed soccer weekend at Johann Field, as it is alumni weekend for both the men's and women's soccer programs. The festivities kick off on Friday at 5 p.m. with a free tailgate hosted by the UNLV Soccer Foundation. Admission is free with a ticket to the game and will be open until game time at 7 p.m.
Women's soccer alum in attendance will be recognized in special halftime ceremonies at both the Friday and Sunday games, while a coed alumni game will take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. in a day-long men's alumni celebration that concludes with a men's match against Oregon State at 7 p.m. The Guns N' Hoses charity game pitting the Las Vegas Fire Department and the Las Vegas Metro Police Department against each other will also take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, featuring a ceremonial first kick by Nevada State Senator Ruben Kihun and a halftime show featuring the K-9 squad. Saturday's festivities will include bouncy houses, face painting, patrol cars and fire trucks, SWAT unit demonstrations, finger printing for the children, CPR demonstrations, special characters, arts & crafts, and free food and beverages, which will run from 3:30-8:30 p.m.
Alumni attending on the women's side include Courtney Botelho '13, Haley Haldeman (Partridge) '08, Annii Skeen (Magliulo) '04, Kristin Puhl '00, Kristin Sankey '14, Cosette (Joffs) PackerJoffs'02, Nichole Moore (Olson) '05, Angie Denton (Inzana) '05 and Kelly Oshay '03.
The Rebels and the Roadrunners will also be taking the field on Friday night for a special cause as both teams will wear gold laces as part of Go4TheGoal's "Lace up for Pediatric Cancer" campaign. A portion of the proceeds from the purchases of the laces and donations at the game will directly support children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
UNLV returns home after a trip to UC Santa Barbara last Sunday, where they suffered a 2-0 loss to the unbeaten Gauchos. With a 5-2 record on the season, the Rebels still remain in first place in the Mountain West standings heading into the final weekend of non-conference play.
Sunday's 2-0 loss marked the first time the Rebels had been shutout this season, but their 18 goals this season through seven games is still on pace to break the single-season record of 38, while their 19 assists is well on its way to breaking the single-season assist record of 32, set just last year.
Seniors, who make up more than a third of the 2016 roster, have led the way this season, as five of the seven players who have scored this season are in their final year. Redshirt senior Susie Bernal and senior Lily Sender have led the way, each recording three goals and four assists to tie for the team lead in points with 10.
Senior Hayley Wilson and junior Chidera Akubuilo have been strong in the back line, starting every game this season for the Rebels, with each earning Mountain West Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks. Junior Jordan Sallee has continued to be solid in the net, registering 19 saves and a 1.45 goals-against-average.
Picking up two wins against CSU Bakersfield and Cal State Fullerton would give the team huge momentum heading into to conference play, especially with having the luxury of facing their first two conference opponents at home next weekend.
UNLV Partners With Go4TheGoal To Raise Money for Pediatric Cancer
The Rebels have teamed up with Go4TheGoal, a non-profit organization based out of New Jersey that is dedicated to helping children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Specifically, UNLV has joined the "Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer" campaign to help raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer. On Friday's game, both the Rebels and Roadrunners will wear gold laces on the field to support the cause. Four out of every $5 pair of laces purchased will be donated directly to the campaign. Donations will also be accepted at Friday's game and online at https://donate.go4thegoal.org/UNLVWomensSoccer.
Scouting CSU Bakersfield
The Roadrunners are off to 2-5-1 start, including 1-4 on the road, with wins over Fresno State and Presbyterian College, a tie with UTEP and losses to St. Mary's, Sacramento State, Loyola Marymount, Campbell, Cal Poly and Eastern Washington -- a team the Rebels beat at home earler in the year. Sophomore Sabrina Delgado is the team's leading scorer with three goals on the year, while fellow sophomore Jen Padilla has played the majority of the minutes in goal this year, recording 28 saves and a 1.81 goals-against-average.
Scouting Cal State Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton has recorded a 3-4 overall record thus far this season. The trio of wins came over St. Mary's, San Jose State and UAB, while the team's four losses include a pair of SEC schools in Auburn and Georgia and the Pac-12's Oregon. The Titans have been shutout four times this season, with their single-game high in goals being three. Junior midfielder Tala Haddad leads the way in the attack as she is first on the team with six points (two goals, two assists). In goal, the Titans feature redshirt senior Jennifer Stuart, who has 23 saves and a 1.02 goals-against-average on the season.
All-Time Series
The Rebels and the Roadrunners are meeting for the second time in their histories, with UNLV winning the only other matchup in 2009, a 2-1 victory at home. The Titans and Rebels are a little more familiar, facing off for the second-straight year after Cal State Fullerton won 1-0 at home a year ago. Overall, this is the seventh time the schools will meet, with the Rebels holding an edge with a record of 3-2-1.
Next Time Out
The Rebels will open up Mountain West conference play at home at Peter Johann Memorial Field on Fri., Sept. 23, taking on San Jose State in a 7 p.m. matchup. On Sun. Sept. 25, UNLV wraps up its homestand with a 12 p.m. contest against Fresno State. Purchase tickets at UNLVtickets.com.
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