The University of Nevada soccer team ended an overtime “Governor’s Series, presented by NV Energy” match against UNLV tied 0-0 Friday evening. Four of Nevada’s 16 matches this season have gone into an extra period. The Wolf Pack is 5-5-5 under Dr. Price in overtime matches.
“I’m very pleased with how we played tonight,” head coach Dr. Melissa Price said. “We put together the most complete match we have all year. We kept the ball very well, moved the ball, and were able to change the point of attack. It was really a fantastic match against our rivals.”
The tie places Nevada (6-8-2, 2-2-1 MW) on the season, while UNLV sits at (10-3-3, 2-1-2 MW).
Nevada looked aggressive in the opening minutes on the pitch, as the team controlled the majority of the field possession. Wolf Pack sophomore Megan Khademi struck a blast at Rebels goalkeeper Kylie Wassell in the 19th minute that was saved for the team’s first shot on goal. UNLV had a corner kick with five minutes left in the first half that resulted in a shot by midfielder Erica Meier which sailed over the goal. The teams entered halftime tied 0-0.
The Rebels were sharp out of the break, attacking the Wolf Pack defense with multiple chances within the period’s first five minutes. Rebels junior Jenn Wolfe had a one on one opportunity against Nevada goalkeeper Dana Moreno at the 47 minute mark. Moreno came up with a huge deflection to keep the match tied 0-0. UNLV midfielder Denali Murnan got a head on a cross from the team’s corner kick on the ensuing play, but the Wolf Pack defense thwarted the attack by clearing the ball. Nevada regained its composure and had three chances to put the ball in the net with consecutive corner kicks. The UNLV defense buckled down, keeping the match tied. Each team missed out on capitalizing off of late opportunities, as the match ended regulation tied 0-0.
The Wolf Pack got back to its aggressive style of play in the initial overtime period, as the team had three shots on goal and a corner kick in the first three minutes of extra time. The Wolf Pack held the Rebels without a shot in the first overtime period that ended 0-0.
Each team recorded a shot on goal in the final overtime period. Moreno and Wassell had saves in front of the net on both ends, as the match ended tied 0-0.
The Wolf Pack will play its final home match of the 2012 season Sunday against Fresno State (4-8-5, 2-2-1 MW) at 1 p.m. Nevada trails the overall series 1-12-1, losing the last meeting 2-1 last season in Reno.
