LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — Fresh faces backed by an accomplished coaching staff sets the stage for a promising fall season. UNLV Men's Soccer returns to the pitch this week for its 2023 season opener. 

UNLV kick off at UC Irvine at 7 p.m. PT, Thursday, Aug. 24. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

New Faces Heighten Hopes

Sixteen newcomers have signed on for BJ Craig's second season at the helm of the UNLV Men's Soccer. The class comes to Las Vegas from around the globe, including nine U.S. states and six additional countries. The new Rebels should immediately impact UNLV's frontline attack and strengthen its midfield. The new squad also adds three goalkeepers.

Secure Your Seats

Season tickets to UNLV soccer games—$25 for seniors, faculty, staff and alumni and $35 for the general public—can be purchased at UNLVTickets.com or by calling 702-739-3267. Single-game tickets are $6 per adult when purchased in advance of game day, $10 at the door and free for kids in high school or younger.

UNLV to Host WAC Championship Tournament

UNLV will host the WAC Men's Soccer Championship beginning with the quarterfinal round on Sunday, Nov. 5. Semifinals are Wednesday, Nov. 8, with the championship game playing Saturday, Nov. 11.

The Rebels report to campus for preseason training on Aug. 8. UNLV will travel to San Diego the following week for exhibition games against San Diego and UCSD as part of its preparation for the upcoming year.

Free Tailgates

The UNLV Rebel Soccer Foundation will host free tailgates on select dates throughout the UNLV men's and women's soccer seasons. Free food and drinks are available to ticketed attendees starting two hours prior to kickoffs. 

Tailgates for men's soccer are tentatively scheduled for the season opener against Santa Clara (Aug. 31), the conference opener versus San Jose State (Oct. 5) and the season finale opposite Seattle U (Oct. 29).

Since its formation in 2016, the UNLV Rebels Soccer Foundation has worked to increase overall support for the programs in alignment with the athletics department to continue to assist UNLV Soccer in winning consistently academically and athletically. If you have an interest in joining the Foundation or making a donation, click here.

Swartz Adds Championship Pedigree to Coaching Staff

Trevor Swartz joined the Rebels this summer as an assistant coach, and Craig notes the impact a coach of his caliber will have on the team. 

"Trevor has developed into one of the top young coaches in the country and he understands how to help student-athletes become the best version of themselves on the field and in life."

After leading teams to victory during his high school and collegiate careers, Swartz turned his focus to coaching. He most recently served as the head coach of Division III Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, taking over in 2022. Swartz joined the program in 2021 as an assistant coach and was part of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Coaching Staff of the Year. He helped CMS to its first-ever undefeated regular season against Division III opponents and its first undefeated conference record since 1993.

"After four years of trying to stop Trevor from making plays on the field from our Indiana-Notre Dame days, it is unbelievable now to have three head coaches on staff, all with national championship pedigree, working together to build UNLV into an elite program that has a tradition of winning championships."