LAST-MINUTE GOAL LIFTS REBELS TO WIN AT UTAH STATE
Junior midfielder Katie Ballou scores with 25 seconds remaining to give UNLV 1-0 win in Mountain West opener
UNLV women’s soccer opened Mountain West play with some late-game magic as junior midfielder Katie Ballou broke a scoreless game with 25 seconds remaining, giving the Rebels the 1-0 win over Utah State in Logan Friday. The Rebels were in control most of the game, but the Aggies battled tough on their home field, almost sending it to overtime until Ballou’s heroics.
UNLV improves to 7-2-1 overall and 1-0 in the MW, while Utah State falls to 1-7 and 0-1.
THE TURNING POINT: The game looked destined for overtime with less than a minute remaining, but the Rebels were still pushing the pace to try to get a goal. Senior forward Amanda Galbraith drew a foul on Utah State in Aggie territory, giving the Rebels a free kick with 89:36 on the clock. Fellow senior Kaila Brinkman took the kick and sent a towering ball into the box, where it bounced around and found the foot of sophomore Hannah Harrison, who was able to poke it to Ballou. Ballou took one swing from about eight yards out and the Rebels finally found the back of the net for the game-winner.
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV dominated the stat sheet, out-shooting USU 17-9 with a 14-2 edge in corner kicks, but had trouble capitalizing on those opportunities until the very end.
QUOTABLE: Head coach Chris Shaw:
“We had 14 corners on the day and unfortunately could not take advantage of them, but I was proud of the team battling until the final whistle and getting the win.”
UP NEXT: The Rebels will return to Las Vegas to host Boise State in its Mountain West home opener Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
REBEL NOTES:
* It was Ballou’s third goal of the season and Harrison’s fourth assist
* Freshman keeper recorded her fourth shutout of the season to go along with four saves in the game
* UNLV is now 8-9-3 in MW openers all time
* UNLV won its conference opener for the first time since 2013 and for the first time under head coach Chris Shaw, who came into the game 0-4 in league openers
* The Rebels are now 3-2-1 on the road in 2018
* Rebels head home Sunday, where they are 4-0 this year and 20-2-2 on their home field since the start of the 2016 season
* Rebels finished non-conference play 6-2-1, marking the third straight year under Shaw that the Rebels have finished with two losses or less during non-league play
* UNLV is celebrating its 20th season in program history, with the official recognition taking place on Friday, Oct. 5 as the Rebels host Fresno State
Summary
Article Name
UNLV WOMEN'S SOCCER NEWS: Last-Minute Goal Lifts Rebels To Win At Utah State
Description
UNLV WOMEN'S SOCCER NEWS: Last-Minute Goal Lifts Rebels To Win At Utah State
Author
Judy Reppart