NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) — The Rebels' quest to win on the road for the first time in two years fell apart late in a game of twists that would make M. Night Shyamalan quake.

CSUN (2-0-3) escaped UNLV (1-3-0) undefeated after rallying for a 3-1 victory at the Matador Soccer Field.

UNLV's young lineup proved its resilience after an own goal put it behind early. The Rebels, who started six true freshmen and introduced more through all four substitutions, were quick to reshape attack formations and put their offense in motion, exercising control through more than two-thirds of the game.

Underclassmen orchestrated UNLV's first point. Newcomer Kai Merrill netted his first career goal from a header off a pinpoint cross from sophomore Jonah Craig. The set piece followed an electrifying run by freshman Hermann Ragnarsson, who outpaced the defense to force a corner kick.

UNLV out-shot CSUN 8 to 4 in the first half as the teams entered intermission knotted 1-1.

The Rebels found themselves behind six minutes in. CSUN's Jorge Solorzano fired a shot toward goal that deflected off a Rebel defender's boot and eluded goalkeeper Hugo Lemos, putting UNLV on the backfoot.

More cases of bad timing doomed UNLV. 

In the 79th minute, CSUN regained the lead as Jamar Ricketts cleaned up a shot-and-save loose ball that was inches from escaping beyond the end line. One minute later, UNLV's Brophy Howard received a yellow card as he and Lemos fouled Sebastien Fuentes inside the 18-yard box, leading to a penalty kick that Jack Rhead converted to seal a Matadors' victory.

Lemos ended the night with six saves after facing 16 shots.

UNLV entered the game without two of its top defenders, as senior Theo Minard missed his first-ever game start due to injury, and senior Louis Hiepen continued his recovery from preseason setbacks.

The Rebels return to Las Vegas hosting Stetson on Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Peter Johann Memorial Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. The game will be streamed live on WAC International TV.