The women’s soccer team was looking for a player to step up after Grand Canyon forced overtime late in the match. The Rebels found that player 49 seconds into the extra period. UNLV (2-0) defeated Grand Canyon (0-2) 3-2 on Sunday after sophomore Isabella Delgado’s overtime goal Sunday at Peter Johann Memorial field. “I was completely wide open and I didn’t see any defenders blocking me,” Delgado said. “The ball didn’t have too much head height or feet height so I kind of just went for it hoping it went in and it did.” Rebels midfielder Denali Murnan had two assist on the day, but none bigger than the one to Delgado early in overtime. UNLV took the lead midway through the first half after junior forward Jodi Barber scored her first goal of the season. The Antelopes evened things up 10 minutes later after a handball by UNLV defender Hayley Wilson in the box gave Grand Canyon a penalty kick. Antelope forward Maria Monterroso got the ball past freshman goalkeeper Jordan Sallee. Grand Canyon controlled possession in the first half, and doubled UNLV’s shot totals with eight. The Antelopes finished the game with a 13-9 advantage in shots. “Today was a bit of a dog fight,” said head coach Chris Shaw. “We didn’t have a lot of time with the ball so we didn’t really get to play the attractive passing game we ideally want to play with.” UNLV took the lead for the second time when freshman defender Chidera Akubuilo scored her first career goal in the 66th minute. It looked like the Rebels had the game wrapped up until UNLV committed another handball in the 86th minute. Grand Canyon took advantage of the Rebel mistake and tied the game on the penalty kick. The margin of victory for the Rebels could’ve been much greater, but they had two goals called back thanks to offsides. They were offsides three times on the day. Grand Canyon played aggressive during the game, and at points a little too aggressive. The Antelopes finished with four yellow cards. “We need to play quicker, and not put ourselves in situations where you’re getting kicked,” said Shaw, “We can’t give them time to get that kick or that late tackle.” The Shaw era for the Rebels is off to a great start, winning their first two games. UNLV opened the season Friday night with a 2-1 victory over Northern Arizona. Shaw came over from Barton College (N.C.) in May and replaced Michael Coll, who took the job at UNC Greensboro in March. “It’s really important to start the season like this,” Delgado said. “We have to make a good impression on the other teams and our coaches and staff, and to prove we can actually do this and win conference.” UNLV continues play next weekend in the UNLV Nike Invitational, with games against Colorado on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m., and Saint Francis on Aug. 31 at 10:30 a.m. at Peter Johann Memorial.
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