LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — A trio of Rebels scored their first goals of the season as UNLV women's soccer tallied its first win Thursday night.

UNLV (1-1-1) shut out UC Riverside (0-2-1) 3-0 under threatening skies at Peter Johann Memorial Field. But the lightning strikes came from two newcomers and a sophomore as the Rebels' furious attack weathered the Highlander defense. UNLV out-shot UCR 15-6 and led shots on goal 8-3. 

The Rebels' attack paced the contest but it wasn't until the 40th minute when graduate transfer Kitty Jones-Black corralled a loose ball in front of the box to place the Rebels' opening score.

UNLV's zone pressure forced a midfield turnover that Jones-Black threaded through the middle of the defense. The pass landed at the feet of Cassie Villanueva, who set up a one-timer for freshman Trinity Buchanan, a Coronado High School alum, in the 67th minute. 

Mallie Ramirez finished the team hat trick in the 72nd minute. Viviana Cera corralled a rushed UCR clear and pinched her pass between two defenders for Ramirez. The sophomore dribbled around the back line trio to deliver a powerful right-foot cross into the opposite end of the net.

The victory boosts the home squad's confidence as it next faces its first conference matchup on Sunday, hosting Idaho at 11 a.m.