Box Score
RENO, Nev. – The University of Nevada soccer team used three second-half goals to beat the visiting UNLV Rebels 3-0 Sunday afternoon at Mackay Stadium. The win marks the Pack’s first-ever victory over the Rebels (4-3-3) in six games.
Nevada (3-5-1) started the game quickly recording two good scoring opportunities in the first four minutes of the game. In the 3rd minute Samantha Miller’s header found Cristen Drummond who had her point-blank shot saved by UNLV’s keeper. Just over a minute later, Whitney Gilson saw her shot from the right side hit off the post.
Nevada recorded its first goal of the match in the 55th minute on a UNLV own goal. Drummond dribbled down the left side and hit a cross towards the back post. Kenishia Warren was making a bending run on the back post but Rebel defender LaChere Anglin got to the ball first and headed it into the right corner as Nevada took a 1-0 lead.
Drummond’s goal in the 62nd minute increased Nevada’s lead to 2-0. Warren played Drummond through the UNLV defense and Drummond beat Rebel keeper Alicia Lugo to the far post to record her third goal of the season.
Karen Zmirak scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 70th minute, putting the Pack up 3-0. Zmirak won possession about 30 yards out and ripped a shot that beat Lugo and dropped in just below the crossbar.
Nevada’s goalkeeper Marie Cove made three saves in the final minutes of the game to keep the Rebels off the board. In the 87th minute, a UNLV player fired a shot that Cove blocked. With Cove still off her line, Niki Connolly collected the rebound and hit a shot but Cove knocked the shot away again. With less than two minutes to play, Armani Rice took a shot from 20 yards out, but Cove tipped her attempt over the crossbar. Cove ended the game with four saves.
“We are proud of the work ethic these young women have put in this weekend,” assistant coach Graeme Abel said. “There are times this season we could have given up but we have persevered and we’ll look to carry this confidence into future games.”
Nevada outshot UNLV 13-12 in the match and the Pack held a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. Zmirak took a team-high three shots for the Pack while Ashly O’Harrow took four for the Rebels.
Lugo made two saves for UNLV who entered today’s match with Nevada on a five-game unbeaten streak.
Nevada will travel to Boise, Idaho to take on NAU in the Soccer Etc./Nike Classic on Friday at 4 MT.
