Both the Rebels and the Aztecs had identical games coming into the match. Both of them won 2-1 and both made a comeback after conceding a goal. For the Rebels it was against Colorado College with late goals from Cassie Villanueva and Trinity Buchanan sealing the game. Meanwhile for the Aztecs it was against Utah state with late goals from Emma Gaines-Ramos and Denise Castro sealing the game. Despite a solid game from UNLV, San Diego were able to score two past the Rebels with excellent passing and shots showing once again why they are the best team in the conference in a 2-0 win as the Rebels record goes to 6-4-5.
The game had a few standouts throughout the match. Starting with the Aztecs, Denise Castro was the engine of her team as she created chances, made runs, and made shots that made it difficult for the Rebels to mark her. Alongside her is Kali Trevithick who sealed the game with a missile shot into the top corner.
Meanwhile for the Rebels, Cassie Villanueva, while unable to play the full match, made a huge impact whenever she was on the field with rapid runs, dangerous shots, and creating opportunities for her teammates. With her is Michelle Madrid who was able to create scoring chances and make some great runs.
In the 8th minute of the game, Castro dribbled past three UNLV defenders before slotting it past Rebel goalkeeper Lucia Guemes to put the Aztecs 1-0 up against the Rebels.
In the 15th minute of the game, Haley Halbersma played an excellent long ball to Mallie Ramirez who headed the ball for a shot but goalkeeper Alexa Madueno came out to save the ball.
In the following play, as Emma Gaines-Ramos was through on goal, Guemes came out to snatch the ball, preventing a dangerous scoring chance.
In the 27th minute, Castro played a through ball on the ground through the Rebels defense finding Alexys Ocampo one-on-one with Guemes but Guemes ran off her line and pounced on the ball once again stopping the danger.
In the 28th minute, Trinity Coker played a low cross that passed all the players in the cross and skimmed the post almost going in.
In the 40th minute of the game, Cadence Whitley put in a cross inside the 6 yard box to Kaitlyn Kowalchuk that she almost got to but just barely missed for a heartstopping moment as UNLV had its best scoring chance of the first half.
In the 43rd minute, Savannah Nichols got a one-on-one chance and took a shot to the right post that was stopped by an excellent dive from Madueno, saving her team keeping the score at 1-0.
The Aztecs maintained a huge dominance of possession however the Rebel defense was able to prevent any real dangerous chances.
In the 55th minute of the game, Villanueva made an instant impact with a rapid run passing the Aztec defense before playing it to Buchanan who made a turn losing her defender and getting a shot that was saved by Madueno.
In the 62nd minute, Madrid had a chance outside the 18 yard box and blasted a rocket that missed the top corner by inches.
In the 72nd minute of the game, substitute Dori Savage made a rapid run down the left wing flying past the rebel defense before laying it off to Trevithick who put in a left footed missile and placed it in the top corner putting the up Aztecs 2-0.
In the 89th minute of the game, Jules Dominguez took her chances around 30 yards out and took a power shot, however it was caught by Madueno.
Up Next
The Rebels stay home to play another doubleheader with the men’s soccer team playing right before them. This time they host New Mexico on Oct. 15 at 12 noon. The game will be available to watch on the Mountain West Network.
