The UNLV women’s soccer team won their first game of the season Sunday morning, defeating rival UNR Wolfpack in a strong battle 1-0.
The Rebels played to a scoreless tie in their first game of the season against Boise State two days prior, allowing the girls to improve on small details that helped give them the win Sunday.
"I always want our group to compete with a chip on our shoulder, so when it’s a rivalry game it’s a little bit more heavy on our shoulders,” Head Coach Jenny Ruiz-Williams. “It was really fun to compete with them. They were excellent. The coaches have done a great job with them and it was a great battle from both sides.”
The Rebels stepped onto the field, playing hard offensively and defensively. Goalie Emberly Sevilla stopped countless shots from the Wolfpack not giving up a single goal.
After they earned five yellow cards in the first game of the season, the Rebels didn’t get a single one in this game, only having a couple of fouls called against them.
During the second half, the Wolfpack’s defense was starting to get tired, as the Rebels kept pushing. Finally, UNLV’s Citalli Alonso managed to shoot the ball into the net, giving them the game-winning goal.
"I was relieved to make that goal. It was an exciting moment. It was a little emotional because we really wanted a win,” Alonso said. “Nevada is our rival team, so I was proud of the girls. It was just a breath of fresh air.”
Both sidelines erupted in cheers as the ball rolled into the net, and all of the girls gathered on the field for a group hug in celebration.
"I almost got a little emotional because I was so happy and proud of them and especially [Alonso]. It was really spectacular that she was the one who was able to put it away because of everything- you know all of them have gone through so much adversity,” Ruiz-Williams said. “So I really just felt- like at that moment- like a fan.”
UNLV women’s soccer now hits the road for the first time this season. They take on Fresno State on Fri. March 12 at 1 pm. The game will be streamed live on the UNLV Athletics youtube channel.
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