LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV women's soccer suffered its first home defeat of the season Sunday afternoon, losing 3-0 to conference-leading Boise State. The two squads headed into the match as the top two teams in the standings through the first month-plus of the season, but it was the Broncos who came out on top after scoring three goals in a span of four minutes to open the second half.
Before Sunday's loss to the Broncos, the Rebels had been 4-0 and 20-2-2 at Peter Johann Memorial Field dating back to the beginning of the 2016 season. UNLV is now 7-3-1 overall and 1-1 in the MW, while Boise State improves to 8-2-0 and 2-0.
THE TURNING POINT: The first half saw an even battle between the Rebels and Broncos and it looked as if this might be a game that could come down to one goal or overtime. That quickly changed after halftime as Boise State came out firing. BSU junior forward Raimee Sherle showed why she is the reigning Mountain West Player of the Year, scoring her first goal less than a minute into the second half in what was eventually the game winner. Less than two minutes Sherle scored her second, then completed the hat trick a minute and a half later after intercepting the ball from UNLV keeper
Emberly Sevilla, who was attempting to get it out of the box.
STAT OF THE GAME: The high powered UNLV offense was shut out for just the third time this season and had a season-low one shot on goal while being out-shot 11-10 for the game.
QUOTABLE: Head coach
Chris Shaw -
"I thought the game turned on a bad tackle on our center back at the end of the half that kept her out the rest of the game. We had to move some pieces around and that cost us. Fortunately, no one game determines the outcome of the season, so we will regroup and get back on track next week."
UP NEXT: The Rebels head out on the road for week two of conference play, taking on Colorado College Friday, September 28 and Air Force Sunday, September 30. Both matches will take place in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
REBEL NOTES:
* The Rebels have lost two straight to Boise State with the Broncos out-scoring the Rebels 9-1 in those two losses
* The Rebels are now 4-1 at home in 2018 and are 20-3-2 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, with the official recognition taking place on Friday, Oct. 5 as the Rebels host Fresno State
