LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – After suffering a second heartbreaking overtime loss in its last three games Friday night, the UNLV women's soccer team bounced back in a big way, knocking off first-place New Mexico 2-1 Sunday at Peter Johann Memorial Field in come-from-behind fashion. It was the first conference loss for the defending champions as the Lobos had entered the match at 4-0-1 and tied for first place in the Mountain West.

With the victory, the Rebels improved to 9-6 on the year and 2-4 in conference play. The win was also huge for UNLV's momentum heading into the final five games of the regular season, a stretch that starts next weekend on the road at Wyoming and Colorado State.

Second-year head coach Jenny Ruiz-Williams praised her team and her staff after the big win.

"I'm just so proud of this team and the staff. They've played with so much heart and fire today. Even with so much adversity this year, especially going into conference [play], they've never stopped fighting," said Ruiz Williams. "This conference is so tight, every team is so good - New Mexico is amazing - so this boost was phenomenal, we really needed it. It's like putting new batteries in, we feel really recharged and ready for next week."

UNLV out-shot New Mexico 12-9 for the game, marking the fourth time out of six Mountain West games the Scarlet and Gray have bested their opponent in that category. Unfortunately the result hadn't always followed, but it paid off Sunday in Las Vegas.

After a scoreless first half, the Lobos took the lead in the 53rd minute on a controversial play off of a corner kick that saw Rebel keeper Riley Liebsack briefly gain possession of the ball before New Mexico seemingly kicked it out of her hands into the back of the net. The goal was allowed and UNLV was down 1-0.

Still trailing 1-0 with under 12 minutes to play, the Rebel kept attacking and it paid off in the 78th minute when Gabby Cameron sent a long throw into the box that found the foot of junior Lourdes Bosch. Bosch was able to get it to teammate Hevani Haunga on the right side of the goal and she buried it in the bottom right corner for the equalizer. It was Bosch's team-leading fifth assist of the year, while Haunga's fourth score is tied for most among all Rebels in 2021.

Nine minutes later with UNLV continuing to put pressure on the Lobo defense, the Rebels drew a free kick from 25 yards out on the left side and junior Jules Dominguez set up to take the kick. Dominguez sent a bullet towards the New Mexico keeper Emily Johnson, who bobbled it out in front of the goal. When Johnson attempted to lunge at the ball she tackled senior Ariana Reyes from behind, earning a foul in the box and a penalty kick for the Rebels in the 87th minute. Defender Taylie Liddell calmly stepped up and delivered a strike past the diving Johnson to the bottom left corner and UNLV took the 2-1 lead for good.

The Rebels head out on the road next weekend, playing at Wyoming Friday at 2 p.m. pT/3 p.m. MT and Colorado State Sunday at Noon PT/1 p.m. MT. Both games will be broadcast live on the Mountain West Network.