UNLV Men’s soccer fell 2-3 to the Kansas City Roos at home.
The Roos would take the lead 1-0 first, only for the Rebels to snatch it before halftime 1-2.
However, the Roos fought hard and were able to steal the win 3-2 at full-time.
In the 19th minute, Raphael Kistman passed the ball to Miguel Fernandez, who played a curling long ball over Manolo Vazquez to teammate Luke Hoelting, who ran past goalkeeper Hugo Lemos and touched the ball into the back of the net to put the Roos 1-0 up.
In the 30th minute, Brevyn Cole would run down on the right wing before cutting inside to his left and taking a shot that passed between the UNLV defense but was caught by Lemos.
A minute later, defender Fernando Somolinos Bravo headed the ball back to goalkeeper Bandon McGaugh, but the header was short. Tyler Ware made a run to touch the ball past McGaugh but was kicked down in the penalty box, and a penalty was given to the Rebels.
On the penalty, Gabe Sanchez calmly rolled the ball down the middle as McGaugh dove to his right, and the penalty was scored, putting the Rebels level at 1-1 with the Roos.
The goal kickstarted the Rebels’ momentum as Lemos saved a header from the Roos three minutes later.
The Rebels started a counterattack with the ball going to Lucas Gelebart, who ran down the right side of the field and struck a low shot that McGaugh dove and caught.
In the 40th minute, Hector Taboada would cut in onto his left foot and strike a low long ball to the right post, which Lemos swiftly dove and caught.
Three minutes later, the Rebels again showed their style as from the back they built up an attack as the ball came to Gelebart, who played a low cross to Alos Lopez, whose touch lifted the ball so he struck it on a powerful volley, too fast for McGaugh to stop, and put the Rebels 2-1 up.
The Roos would be held to only three separate shots in the second half, all going off-target and wide of the net.
But in the 59th minute, their efforts paid off as a mistake from Lemos gave the ball to Taboada, who played it to Elie Kisoka, who slotted it past Lemos to equalize the game 2-2.
In the 64th minute, Kisoka struck a powerful volley, which Lemos denied at point blank; however, the rebound fell to Mathias Baucher, who put the ball in the back of the net, giving the Roos a 3-2 lead.
At the end of the game, both teams would share numerous shots; however, none went in, and soon, the final whistle blew, and the Roos secured a 3-2 win.
The Rebels will play Cal Fullerton State next on Sep. 26, 6:30 p.m. at home.
