LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV women's soccer capped a night of celebration at Peter Johann Memorial Field Friday under the lights with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Fresno State. The night served as the official recognition for 20 seasons in UNLV women's soccer history with the Rebels welcoming back 30 former players - including eight from the 1998 inaugural squad. The 2018 Rebels put on a show for the crowd, scoring the game-winner with eight minutes to play in what was a 1-1 game that looked destined for overtime.

UNLV improves to 8-4-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the Mountain West, while Frenso State falls to 2-9-1 and 1-3-1. After spending five of the last eight games on the road, UNLV was happy to return to its home field, where they are 21-3-2 dating back to the beginning of the 2016 season.

THE TURNING POINT: With the game knotted at one with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, the Rebels were putting the pressure on the Bulldogs, drawing several corner kicks. One of those finally paid off in the 82nd minute. After junior midfielder Georgia Kingman sent a high flying ball into the box, Fresno State tried to clear it, but junior defender Paige Almendariz was there to corral the deflection and found herself open just outside the 18-yard box. She took one swing at it and sent a perfect ball into the opposite upper right corner and the Rebels had their game-winner.

STAT OF THE GAME: The first goals by both teams were each scored on penalty kicks - UNLV's on a foul in the box and Fresno State's on a hand ball in the box. 

CO-REBELS OF THE GAME: Almendariz deserves the nod after her first goal of the season, but true freshman keeper Emberly Sevilla is also worthy. Sevilla was strong in the net all game, but was particularly stout after the Rebels took the lead and Fresno State was frantically pushing the pace to try to get the equalizer. On one sequence in particular with under three remaining, Sevilla made two brilliant saves right in front of the goal after the Bulldogs got a couple cracks at the net off of a corner kick. The freshman had five saves on the night.

QUOTABLE: "I'm super excited, we had a great crowd out here - we had 30 alumni and eight players from the original 1998 team, so we really wanted to try to put on a show for them and get a win for them and that's what we were able to do. I couldn't be happier with the support we got - we had two bands out here rockin' and rollin' - it was great and it really was a special night. We'll take this win and start preparing for Sunday."
- Head coach Chris Shaw

UP NEXT: The Rebels' four-game homestand continues Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. match against San Jose State - the reigning Mountain West Champions.

REBEL NOTES: 
* The victory ended a three-game stretch without a win for UNLV, who tied Air Force in its last outing and lost the previous two games prior to that
* UNLV avenged last year's 4-1 loss to Fresno State, which took place in Fresno in 2017
* The Rebels are now 5-1 at home in 2018 and are 21-3-2 since the beginning of 2016
* Rebels finished non-conference play 6-2-1, marking the third straight year under Shaw that the Rebels have finished with two losses or less during non-league play
* UNLV is celebrating its 20th season in program history