The UNLV men’s soccer team settled for a 2-2 draw against the University of San Diego Toreros Wednesday night after conceding a goal with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.
The Rebels (1-3-4) have now staved off the loss column for three consecutive matches after dropping three of its first five contests.
Hayden Prasad got the Rebels on the scoreboard early after sending a rocket shot from 33 yards out past San Diego goalkeeper Jason Dubrovich at the 2:06 mark in the first half. It was the Henderson native’s first career goal donning the scarlet and gray.
Prasad’s offensive involvement did not end there.
In the 29th minute, after UNLV goalkeeper Andrew Sway fended off four fierce shots fired from Torero attackers, Prasad led the counterattack with a brilliant outlet pass to Skyler Goo.
Goo found Gabe Sanchez streaking into the box, and Sanchez sunk the shot to give the Rebels a 2-1 lead.
The Rebels nearly sealed the victory in the 81st minute when Allan Cuartas’ header narrowly nicked the crossbar and found Dubrovich’s mitts instead of the back of the net.
The Rebels surrendered the lead when, in the 88th minute, the Toreros created a set-piece opportunity from a free kick, and San Diego defenseman Trevor Dillon leaped above the pack and headed towards goal. It was Dillon’s first career goal for the Toreros.
UNLV’s non-conference portion of the season is over as it welcomes the WAC portion of their schedule, hosting a meeting against the Air Force on Friday at Johann Memorial Field.
The match will also be the Rebels “Military Appreciation Game” with a special “thank you” to our servicemen and women. The match will start at 11:30 a.m.
No Goals in Mountain West Opener for Women’s Soccer
The UNLV women’s soccer team drew 0-0 in their conference opener against the Boise State Broncos Thursday night.
The first half of the game began slowly with the Broncos getting the better of the early exchanges.
UNLV goalkeeper Riley Liebsack denied the Broncos by making three saves. The Rebels were held to no shots on target in the first 45 minutes. The first half ended 0-0.
Play picked up in the second half as both teams searched for a goal.
Boise State’s Haley Apple set up two wide-open headers for Sophie Drown and Hayden Wilsey, but both went wide. Meanwhile, the Rebels almost opened the scoring after a scramble within the box led to a blocked shot by Sadie Newsom.
The biggest chance of the game occurred in the 76th minute. Boise State’s goalkeeper Genevieve Crenshaw pulled off a tremendous save after UNLV’s Mallie Ramirez hit a shot towards the top right corner of the goal.
The Broncos pushed forward so much in the attack that they left their defense wide open. The Rebels broke forward with a few seconds left on the game clock, but Mimi Mendoza hit her shot straight at Crenshaw. The game ended 0-0.
Despite the Rebels’ lack of shots on target to begin the game, the shots on target for both teams finished level at three apiece. The draw also marked the Rebels’ first clean sheet at Boise State in program history.
The 0-0 draw is an impressive result for a young Rebels team given the Broncos have the best overall record in the Mountain West at 4-2-4, 0-0-1 in conference, and have scored the most goals in the Mountain West with 20.
Up next, the Rebels (2-6-1, 0-0-1) continue their road trip at Utah State on Sept. 25 and Fresno State on Thursday.
