LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — A 70th-minute score lifted the UNLV men's soccer team (3-2-1) to a 1-0 win in a tight battle vs. previously unbeaten UC San Diego (4-1-0) Thursday night at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
Senior midfielder
Kai Merrill struck in the Rebels' game-winning score from the right side in the box after fielding the assist by his senior counterpart
Bryce Allred from near the midfield line. In the process, the duo helped the Scarlet & Gray overcome the Tritons' three-shot advantage during the second half.
STAT OF THE GAME: Despite facing nine total shots, including six shots on goal, senior goalkeeper
Hugo Lemos and the Scarlet & Gray backline kept a tight ship on the Triton targets for their first shutout of the season. Additionally, Lemos picked up his first clean sheet season after claiming six saves
QUOTABLE: "I think it was a great crowd, first of all. I really appreciate the community and the campus coming out. It was awesome and it really helped our guys. We've had a lot of road games right now, and I thought the guys did a great job coming in, preparing well all week and taking advantage of being at home. I'm really pleased with them and proud of the performance. Now we've gotta get ready with another game coming up in two days."
- UNLV Head Coach BJ Craig
UP NEXT: UNLV heads back on the road for a Sunday contest at UC Irvine.
NOTES:
- The 411 fans in attendance marked a season high in that category, topping the 394 at the season-opening win over CSUN.
- UNLV improved to 2-0 in front of the home crowd on the year.
- This marked the Rebels' sixth consecutive match decided by one goal to start the 2026 campaign.
- Three different Rebels registered multiple shots in the contest, including three by Merrill, two by sophomore forward Maxim Scordo and two by senior forward Nick Legendre. Adding another attempt, senior midfielder Joaquin Eisenberg tallied one shot.
