LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV men's soccer started off its season on the right foot Thursday night, escaping a close battle with a 2-1 road win over Gonzaga at Lager Field after fifth-year senior Marco Gonzlalez netted the game-winning goal in the 85th minute.

Gonzalez's go-ahead score came after his initial shot  – which followed a nice feed from senior forwards Nicolas Likulia and Aedon Kyra  – ricocheted off the Zags' goalkeeper Johan Garibay just inside the box and the Scarlet and Gray veteran recovered the ball and hit it in with just over 5 minutes left in the game. His late-game heroics were in response to a Gonzaga goal in the 35th minute that kept the contest tight for the next 50 minutes of play.

Also adding a goal in the contest, Likulia got the Rebels off to a quick 1-0 advantage in the third minute with his goal in traffic off a cross that was sent to him from the left side of the box by senior midfielder Bailey Letherman.

Senior goalkeeper Lukas Betz earned the win in goal for UNLV, tallying three saves and facing10 shots by the aggressive Zags offensive attack.

The Rebels now come back to Vegas and will face UC San Diego Sunday in a 6 pm contest, which will be preceded by a pre-game free tailgate with free food and drinks provided by the UNLV Soccer Foundation. Tickets to the contest can be purchased in advance at UNLVTickets.com