LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Oct. 25, 2019) – A late second half goal by redshirt freshman
Jamie Tatum lifted the Wyoming soccer team (7-6-4, 4-4-1 MW) to a 3-2 victory over the UNLV Rebels (4-12-1, 1-7-1 MW) on Friday night in Las Vegas.
Both teams came out firing to begin the match and tested each of the goalies early. UNLV had two quick shots in the first two minutes of the contest that were saved by goalie
Hannah Lee. Wyoming had its first opportunity with 8:18 on the clock with a shot by senior
Summer Taube. Less than a minute later, Tatum had a shot blocked that bounced around the front of the goal. The ball made it back to Tatum again and she would get it past Emberly Sevilla to make it 1-0 Cowgirls. The Rebels had a couple of chances that came up empty. In the 20
th minute a foul on the Cowgirls gave UNLV a penalty kick opportunity. Lourdes Bosch buried it past Lee to even things up at one all. Wyoming responded with a shot by sophomore
Indianna Asimus that was saved Sevilla. UW would quickly get the ball back and a pass by sophomore
Amber Vokoun connected with Asimus who struck a shot low center to score and make it 2-1 with 23:55 on the clock. Despite being outshot six shots compared to two the remainder of the half, which included three saves by Lee, the Cowgirls went in to the lockerroom up 2-1.
In the second half, both teams played in defensive mode for the majority of the period. Tatum and Asimus had looks at the goal in the 56
th and 60
th minutes but were shut-down by Sevilla while the Rebels' chances came up empty as well. In the 82
nd minute, McKenna Sullivan would score the equalizer with a ball that went low and center of the goal past Lee to make it 2-2. It looked like the game was headed to overtime, but the Cowgirls had a response to that. With 86:06 on the clock, Tatum got the ball from senior
Michaela Stark and buried it low left past the goalie to make it 3-2. UNLV had a couple of opportunities which were held off by Wyoming. The Cowgirls would hold on to the 3-2 victory.
"I was really proud of the effort and the energy tonight. It was fantastic and we really battled," head coach
Pete Cuadrado said. "We never hung our heads and really happy with the team. Overall, it was a great college soccer game, really happy to come out on the positive side and pick up another crucial three points. I couldn't be more proud of this team especially the way we battled."
Tatum finished the match with a team-high five shots with four of them on goal to go along with her two goals including the game-winner. Stark and Vokoun each had an assist. Seven Cowgirls logged all 90 minutes in the match. Lee played in all 90 minutes in net and recorded a career-high ten saves. Sevilla finished her night with six saves in 86 minutes. UNLV had 21 shots compared to 12 by Wyoming, while the two teams combined for 12 corner kicks and 14 fouls.
Wyoming is back on the pitch on Sunday against the Nevada Wolf Pack. The match is set for 1 p.m. MT in Reno.
