Montana falls to UNLV

Sunday, September 9

Las Vegas, Nev.

2:00 PM (MT)

Montana

1-4-2

UNLV

6-1-1

Montana

UNLV

9/9/2018 6:02:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

UNLV scored twice in a span of 40 seconds early in the second half to account for all the match's goals as the Rebels defeated Montana by a score of 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at blistering Peter Johann Memorial Field in Las Vegas.

Caitlyn Kreutz scored her fifth goal of the season in the 62nd minute and Michaela Morris added her second in the 63rd on a day when on-field temperatures approached 110 degrees.

Despite playing well for most of the match and doubling up UNLV in shots on goal, Montana, which battled to a scoreless, double-overtime draw at Wyoming on Friday afternoon, was unable to recover from the two-goal deficit.

"The second goal was massive for them," said coach Chris Citowicki. "Between the heat and coming from 110 minutes at altitude, we were gassed."

The loss snapped Montana's three-match unbeaten streak and also extended the Grizzlies' scoreless streak to more than 310 minutes, back to Hallie Widner's 90th-minute game-winner against Vermont on Friday, Aug. 31.

Montana put five of its seven shots in the first half on goal and eight on frame for the match, but Emberly Sevilla stopped each of them to lower her season goals-against average to 0.74.

UNLV outshot Montana by one for the match, 14-13, but it was the Grizzlies who were getting the chances early. They had five shots and two corner kicks before the Rebels got off their first shot.

"It was 55 or 60 minutes of tremendous soccer on our part, when we were creating good opportunities and they had to make some nice saves and take care of their business," said Citowicki.

"Then we make a couple of mistakes we normally don't make and we lose 2-0. Credit to them, they scored two great goals."

UNLV, which improved to 6-1-1, has now scored 21 goals through eight matches. In comparison, Montana (1-4-2) has outshot its opponents for the season, with more shots on goal as well, but the Grizzlies have just two goals in seven matches to show for it.

"It's hard to play as well as we're playing and not get any sort of reward for it," said Citowicki. "If we score when we're supposed to, we're up 2-0 and they're the ones chasing it, but we didn't get that done. If you don't get it done, the game's open and even until somebody scores.

"The players are working so hard and deserve something for their efforts, but we've got to put the ball in the back of the net."

McKenzie Warren and Taylor Hansen both took three shots for Montana, which plays at No. 17 Washington State on Friday at 8 p.m. (MT). The unbeaten Cougars (5-0-0) have allowed just two goals this season.