UNLV Men’s soccer officially surpassed its win total from last season, obtaining its second win of the season, defeating Tulsa 2-1. UNLV’s record after the road victory is 2-4-2. The win was the Rebels’ first away win since Sept. 10, 2021 against Sacramento State.
The Rebels were determined to have a good result after falling short in its last game against Bakersfield at home.
The Rebels would strike first with a goal from Nico Lopez; however, it would be short-lived as just five minutes later, Sergio Baena would equalize the game from the penalty spot.
Early in the second half, Tyler War would find the back of the net for the Rebels, and Tusla was unable to find the back of the net again as the game was cut short due to thunderstorms.
Both teams had some standout performers throughout the match, including Sergio Baena, who scored Tulsa’s only goal and played a solid game in the midfield, being the core of his team. Along with him is teammate Alvaro Torrijos, who had four shots in the whole game with three of them being on goal, being Tulsa’s main threat to the Rebels.
As for UNLV, some standouts include Nico Lopez, who was able to find the net and overall played a vital role in his team with creative passes and vision to create attacking chances. With him is Tyler Ware, who, with his ultimate high-pressing style, eventually rewarded him with the winner of the game. UNLV shot-stopper Hugo Lemos had a fantastic game and saved the Rebels, securing them a win with his four-save performance.
Straight into the game, UNLV Bryce Allred would have the first chance of the match with a low bottom left strike that would be denied by Tulsa shot-stopper Alex Lopez just two minutes into the game.
After that first Rebel chance, Tulsa would dominate the attack for the next 15 minutes with six corner kicks and three shots, one being a top corner shot by Torrijos but denied by goalkeeper Lemos with a beautiful save.
In the 27th minute of the game, Luke Jeffus went for a low center shot that Lemos was able to save.
In the following play, Jonah Craig struck a firm shot that rattled the crossbar, but the ball went to Lopez, who put it away and gave the Rebels a 1-0 lead against Tulsa.
Five minutes later, Tulsa would be awarded a penalty where Baena would slot the ball away and equalize the game for Tulsa.
The first half would conclude with a total of eight corner kicks for Tulsa and one for the Rebels. Tulsa committed a total of three fouls, while the Rebels outdid them by one with four. The first half, despite being 1-1, was dominated by Tulsa in possession and shots.
Four minutes into the second half, UNLV pressed Tulsa keeper Lopez, who, under pressure, would give a shot pass to Ware who struck the ball past Lopez and just like that put the Rebels up 2-1 just four minutes into the second half.
The next 10 minutes of the game would be a battle for possession from both teams with one of them trying to find an opportunity.
It would be Tulsa who got the next opportunity with Torrijos who would once again for the top right corner and Lemos once again denied Torrijos with a great save.
Torrijos would then seek revenge and try to find an equalizer in the last minute of the game with a high shot that Lemos stretched up and denied.
The game would end at 70 minutes due to thunderstorms, and with an early stop, the UNLV Rebels officially secured its second win of the season and their first on enemy soil in more than two years.
UP NEXT
The Rebels travel south to Edinburg, Texas to face UTRGV on Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
