OREM, Utah (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV women's soccer closed out its first road trip of 2018 with a 1-1 double overtime draw at Utah Valley Saturday night. The Rebels rallied late to tie it up at one thanks to a header goal in the 87th minute by forward
Michaela Morris, avoiding a second straight loss on the weekend.
The draw is the first for UNLV, who went 13-7 in 2017, since the Rebels played San Diego State to a 3-3 tie in the Mountain West Tournament Championship on Nov. 5, 2016. The Scarlet and Gray went on to take down the Aztecs in the shootout to win the title and qualify for the 2016 NCAA tournament.
THE TURNING POINT: UNLV looked as if it was headed for a second loss in Utah this weekend until Morris' header goal helped the Rebels rally back to tie the score at one. The sequence started on a free kick set piece, with senior defender Bella Meyers dishing it to fellow defender junior
Paige Almendariz. Almendariz then sent a perfect ball into the box, where Morris was in position to get her head on it and knock it right past the UVU goalie. The game-tying score came after the Wolverines had taken a late 1-0 lead in the 74th minute.
REBEL OF THE GAME: Morris nabbed her first goal of the season after nine last season, which was second most on the team in 2017. True freshman
Emberly Sevilla deserves honorable mention as she made a handful of crucial saves to keep UNLV within striking distance.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Rebels and the Wolverines each registered 16 shots on the goal, marking the first time this season UNLV hadn't out-shot its opponent.
QUOTABLE: Head coach Chris Shaw:
"I thought we showed some heart to come back after a late goal. It is early in the season and we still need to figure some things out, but I was proud of how the team battled, especially in OT."
REBEL NOTES:
* Sevilla had a career-high six saves
* This is the first draw in the series history between the two schools - UNLV held a 4-2 edge in the all-time series heading into the game
* In a reversal from Thursday's game at SUU, when the Rebels held a 10-3 edge in corner kicks, on Saturday the Wolverines had nine to UNLV's one.
* The draw breaks a five-game regular season road losing streak that dates back to the end of last season
* UNLV is celebrating its 20th season in program history, with the official recognition taking place on Friday, Oct. 5 as the Rebels host Fresno State
