LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV women's soccer saw a pair of seniors earn national recognition in the lead up to their final collegiate season, which gets underway this weekend with the UNLV Invitational. Goalkeeper Jordan Sallee appeared as the 66th-ranked keeper and the No. 9 senior keeper in the country, according to Everybody Soccer, a site dedicated to college goalies. Chidera Akubuilo, who has already been named to the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and TopDrawerSoccer.com's Women's DI Preseason XI Third Team, adds another accolade to her resume as she is ranked as the No. 32 player in the nation on TopDrawerSoccer's Women's National Top-100 list.

Akubuilo, from Torrance, California, is a three-year starter in the middle of the UNLV defense, making 55 starts over her career. Like Sallee, Akubuilo's play a year ago propelled the Rebels to one of their best seasons in history, with the team winning both the Mountain West regular season and tournament titles in the same season for the first time. Her performance also earned her the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award in addition to an All-Conference First Team selection. Akubuilo has contributed on the offensive side of the ball as well, scoring seven goals and recording a pair of assists during her career.

With 11 players lost to graduation, Sallee and Akubuilo will be counted on to lead the way in 2017.

The Rebels open the 2017 campaign this weekend at home with the season-opener set for Friday, August 18 at 7 p.m. against Drake at Peter Johann Memorial Field.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2017 season. Season tickets are just $35 for adults, $25 for UNLV faculty/staff and seniors. Single game ticket prices this season are $8 for adults, $6 for faculty/staff and seniors, though a special internet price of $5 is available for all tickets bought online at UNLVTickets.com, good up to three hours before game time. Kids 12 and under are always free at UNLV women's soccer contests.