Coming off two overtime losses in the last three games, the Rebel’s bounced back in a big way, scoring twice in the last 12 minutes of Sunday’s game to upset the first-place New Mexico Lobos 2-1.
In the first half of the game, neither team was able to score nor get anything going on offense, in fact, both teams combined for just four shots total.
Things picked up in the second half as New Mexico’s Zaria Katesigwa scored the first goal of the game putting the Lobos up 1-0. It wasn’t until the last 12 minutes of the match where the Rebel’s would answer back with a score of their own.
In the 88th minute, UNLV’s Hevani Haunga scored her fourth goal of the season to tie the game, with an assist by Gabby Cameron and Lourdes Bosch.
With less than three minutes left in the game, defender Taylie Liddell kicked a penalty goal. The Rebel’s held onto their 2-1 lead the remaining minutes of the match to upset New Mexico at home.
“Honestly, I was just so excited for the penalty,” Liddell expressed after the game. “I’ve taken two before so I know where to place it, but I’m just so proud of my team, we really fought hard.”
“I’m just so proud of this team and the staff,” head coach Jenny Ruiz-Williams said. “They’ve played with so much heart and fire today. Even with so much adversity this year, especially going into conference [play], they’ve never stopped fighting.”
The Rebel’s now head on a two game road trip starting off on Friday Oct. 15 facing Wyoming at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcasted live on the Mountain West Network.
