UNLV REBELS

Sept. 2, 2010

LAS VEGAS -

UNLV weekly notes

Thanks to a pair of victories this past weekend in the Las Vegas Invitational, the UNLV women's soccer team has tied the best start in school history with a 3-0 record. UNLV will be looking to extend its win streak this weekend when as the Rebels take to the road for a pair of games in the Denver Invitational. The Rebels begin with a Saturday, 3:30 pm contest against Drake, and then will play either Colorado or host Denver on Monday to finish action.

This is UNLV’s first 3-0 start since the 2003 squad also won three straight to open the year. That year’s team would finish with a 9-9-3 mark.

A big reason for UNLV’s fast start is an improved offense. After scoring a program-low 15 goals in 2009, the Rebels have already posted 10 scores this season.
Saturday’s contest will be the first-ever between UNLV and Drake. The Rebels have also never played Colorado, while the series against Denver is tied at 1-1.
 
Players To Watch
Senior forward Ashleigh Shoughro has quickly returned to her scoring form from her sophomore season, as she currently leads the Mountain West in both goals (six) and points (12) in just three games of action. Sophomore Colette Jepson meanwhile is tied seventh in both points (5) and in goals (2). Redshirt sophomore Macy Jo Harrison, in her first year in a Rebel jersey, is tied for the team lead in assists with three. Those three have lead an attack that leads the MWC in points per game at 3.0.

In goal for UNLV is freshman goalkeeper Kylie Wassell, who has a 0.80 GAA, 11 saves and one shutout on the year.

Scouting Drake
The Bulldogs are 2-0-2 on the season, having opened up with a pair of double-overtime scoreless ties at Iowa State and Wisconsin-Green Bay. That was followed by a pair of wins, at North Dakota (3-1) and South Dakota State (1-0) this past weekend.

Four players have all scored one goal apiece for Drake. Though the team is averaging just one goal a game, they have also only allowed one goal all season by the opposition, as goalie Kalena Litch holds a 0.22 GAA and has 23 saves through four contests.
 
Scouting Colorado
The Buffaloes are also undefeated this year at 2-0, following back-to-back 2-0 shutouts of Wyoming and Northern Colorado, both in Boulder.

Kym Lowry is pacing the squad with two goals this season, while in goal for Colorado is Annie Brunner, who has yet to give up a goal in 2010.

Scouting Denver
The Pioneers are 1-1 on the year thus far, after a season-opening  road loss at Loyola Marymount by a 2-1 score, which was followed by a 3-0 home victory over Buffalo.

Like Drake, all four goals have been scored by different playes, while Kristen Hamilton also has an assist to give her a team-high three points. In goal is Lara Campbell, who has only had to make seven saves, and owns a 1.00 GAA.

A Return To The Rankings
UNLV is ranked 10th in this week’s NSCAA Pacific Regional rankings. It’s the first ranking for the Rebels since October of 2008.

Weekly Honors
Senior forward Ashleigh Shoughro earned MWC Offensive Player of the Week honors on Aug. 30 after scoring a total six goals over two games in wins over Albany and Louisiana-Monroe.
 
Next Time Out
UNLV comes back to Las Vegas for the UNLV Nike Classic. The Rebels will play Oregon on Friday, Sept. 10 at 7 pm, and close the weekend by hosting Cal State Northridge  on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 pm, both games at Peter Johann Memorial Field.