DOUBLE OVERTIME GOLDEN GOAL LIFTS REBELS TO VICTORY OVER FRESNO STATE
The Rebels avenged their loss to the Bulldogs in Fresno with a 2-1 comeback win in double overtime at home Sunday behind two goals from senior Ariana Reyes
@UNLVwSoccer | Box Score
The UNLV women’s soccer team ended its weekend at home in a big way Sunday at Peter Johann Memorial Field, topping Fresno State 2-1 on an Ariana Reyes golden goal – her second score of the game – with under three minutes remaining in the second overtime. The Rebels, who came up just short in a 3-2 loss in Fresno two weekends ago, were able to come from behind to avenge the earlier defeat and improve to 4-2-1 on the season.
After a back and forth opening 20 minutes, Fresno struck first in the 20th minute for the 1-0 lead. Despite the Rebels out-shooting the Bulldogs 6-2 in the first half, it would stay that way until just after halftime, when UNLV came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders. In the 52nd minute, the Rebel midfield took control and found Lourdes Bosch up the left side just outside the box. Bosch cut it back just before the end line and sent the ball into the middle of the field to a streaking Reyes, who was ready and waiting for the one-touch blast from 20 yards out that perfectly slipped inside the right post to tie it up at one.
UNLV continued to put the pressure on the FS defense, creating several scoring chances in, again, out-shooting the visitors 6-2 in the second half, but the final horn sounded and the game headed to overtime knotted at one. The match intensified but the Rebels rode the momentum in overtime as they controlled possession and just missed on a couple of opportunities to end the game. With time ticking down in the final OT period, that pressure paid off when the Rebels forced a throw-in at the edge of the 18-yard box. The short throw went to sophomore Marcella Brooks and she quickly booted a cross into the box that got through everybody. There waiting on the backside of the goal was none other than Reyes, who finished from eight yards out for the golden goal victory.
The scores were particularly significant for Reyes as they were the first two collegiate goals for the redshirt junior, who is a Las Vegas native.
Outside of the first-half goal, the Rebel defense and junior keeper Emberly Sevilla were their usual stout selves, allowing just five total shots in 107 minutes of action. Sevilla finished with three saves on the day.
UNLV has also out-shot its opponent in five of seven games in 2021.
UP NEXT: UNLV will close out it’s home schedule next Saturday April 3 with a big match against first-place San Diego State, who the Rebels narrowly lost 1-0 to in the first meeting in San Diego. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. live on the Mountain West Network. It will be senior night at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
