Posted: Sep 22, 2019
LAS VEGAS - Santa Clara men's soccer got goals from Eduardo Lopez Perez, Hendrik Kuehn and Alejandro Perez en route to a dominating 3-1 win over UNLV in a nonconference match at Johann Memorial Field on Sunday night.
Santa Clara (3-3-1) was the sharper side from start to finish, outshooting UNLV 16-7, including a 9-2 advantage on shots on goal.
"We grew today and had a very solid overall performance," said Broncos head coach Cam Rast. "I thought we came out really strong as we challenged ourselves after Thursday's result against Utah Valley. Today, we set a good tone early but unfortunately, we gave UNLV life allowing them to score late in the first half. But we came out strong in the second half with those two early goals and did a really nice job managing the game."
In the opening minutes of the second half, first-year player Hendrik Kuehn broke a 1-all tie when he fired off a left foot shot from atop the 18 to beat goalkeeper Lukas Betz to the lower left corner. The game-winning goal came in the 48th minute.
Five minutes later, Alejandro Perez added an insurance goal to give the Broncos a two-goal margin. The sophomore intercepted a pass at midfield as UNLV (2-6) tried to switch the field, dribbled into the box, and calmly slotted it to the far post.
Even with the statistical advantage and playing the majority of the first half on the attacking side, the scoreboard was level at 1-all at intermission.
Eduardo Lopez Perez opened the scoring in the 16th minute when he picked up a loose ball in front of the goal and slotted it low and right from 10 yards out. Lopez Perez's first goal of the season gave Santa Clara a 1-0 lead.
The Broncos held the Rebels without a shot until the 39th minute but the Rebels made their first shot count when John Lynam's headed in a service from Bailey Letherman to tie the match at 1-all.
The two goals in the first eight minutes of the second half sealed the deal for the Broncos as Kuehn and Perez recorded their first career Bronco goals.
NOTES
• Eleven different Broncos have scored for the Broncos this season, including season firsts by Lopez Perez, Kuehn and Perez.
• Kuehn led the team with three shots.
• Both of Lopez Perez's goals were on frame to lead the team.
UP NEXT
Santa Clara plays its third straight road match when they travel to Nashville, Tennessee to face Lipscomb on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
