UNLV MEN’S SOCCER POSTS SECOND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT, 2-0 OVER KANSAS CITY
Rebels improve to 5-3 at home this season
UNLV notched a pair of second half goals and posted its second straight shutout on the way to a 2-0 victory over Kansas City on Friday night in WAC men’s soccer action from Peter Johann Field. With their second straight win, the Rebels improved to 5-9 overall, 3-3 in league play, while Kansas City dropped to 4-6-4, and 3-2-1 in the WAC. The shutout marked the third of the season for UNLV, tying for the most in a season since posting three in the 2009 season, while the Rebels have posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2007.
“I thought it was a very good game for us overall tonight,” said UNLV head coach Rich Ryerson. “We played an exciting game in front of our home fans. I was happy with the performance from Salvador Bernal tonight, I thought he was key to our efforts, while Ryan Harding continues to play outstanding in goal.”
Bernal nearly factored in the Rebels’ first score of the game, as he drew a penalty kick after being dragged down inside the box. However, Julian Portugal’s PK was saved by the Roos’ goalkeeper Chris McGaughey, keeping the game scoreless at the 62nd minute mark. UNLV was able to overcome the missed PK though, coming up with the eventual game-winner eight minutes later after drawing a UMKC foul. Bradley Kamdem took the free kick from the right side of the field, and sent a long ball into the box near the goal. Kyle Mellies came crashing into the box, and was able to body the ball into the goal from a few yards out, putting the Rebels up 1-0 in the 70th minute.
UNLV added to its lead in the 85th minute, following a second yellow card on the Roos’ Broc Cramer, which resulted in a red card as well. On that ensuring free kick, Portugal sent the ball into the box where Irvin Somera redirected it to Bernal. The Las Vegas native blasted a shot in the back of the net for his third score of the year, putting the Rebels up 2-0.
UNLV finished the game with 21 shots, which included 12 on goal, while UMKC finished with 13 shots, seven on the net. Harding would come up with six saves however for the Rebels to post the shutout. McGaughey finished with 10 saves for the Roos. UNLV also held a 6-4 edge on corner kicks for the night.
UNLV closes out its home schedule on Sunday with a Senior Day contest against Houston Baptist at 1 pm. That will be the final home game for UNLV’s three seniors, Joaquin Rivas, Jose Mendoza and Joe Vitale.