The University of Nevada soccer team opened Mountain West play with a 2-0 win over Utah State Friday evening at Mackay Stadium. Wolf Pack head coach Dr. Melissa Price is now 2-2 in conference openers at Nevada. The program is 5-7-1 all-time in conference openers and 5-2-1 when opening conference play at home.

With the win, Nevada improves to (3-4-3, 1-0 MW) on the season, while Utah State drops to (4-4-2, 0-1 MW).

“I am really proud of the way the team came out mentally prepared, energized, and ready to play,” head coach Dr. Melissa Price said. “Those were a few of our main goals and we definitely did that tonight. We had some good conservations within our training this week about what our goals are and making sure we are doing everything within our power to achieve those goals. Lately we’ve generated many shots on goal, but were unable to produce goals. The team wanted to step up and make a change with that tonight and we did that.”

The Wolf Pack opened the match with two early corner kicks that were cleared by the Aggies. Utah State’s first shot on goal came in the 19th minute on a shot  by Maris Hamblin that was saved by Nevada goalkeeper Kelsey Quintos. The Aggies had a nice look in front of the Wolf Pack goal with a shot by Kylie Dibb in the closing seconds of the half, but Quintos came up with a diving save to keep the score tied 0-0 at the break. Nevada had three corner kicks to none for Utah State.

Aggies mid-fielder Maris Hamblin fired a 40-yard set piece to Quintos in the 67th minute, deflecting off of the keeper and landing right at the feet of Lexie Morgan. Morgan collected the rebound and took a shot, but Quintos gathered herself at the net to make the consecutive save. Nevada midfielder Alyissa deRonde received a one-touch pass from Daisha Jones-Oglesby on the right wing and shot the ball past the Utah State keeper to give the Wolf Pack a 1-0 lead in the 77th minute. The goal is a career first for deRonde. Aggies forward Jennifer Flynn had a shot on goal six minutes later that was saved by Quintos. Bobby Reilly dribbled around the Utah State defense and fed Kori Disarufino with a pass in the 86th minute, leading to the team’s second goal of the day and second of the year for Disarufino. Nevada went on to win the match 2-0. Quintos recorded her fifth shutout of the season. Each team had eight shots in the game.

Nevada will remain home to face Boise State Sunday afternoon at Mackay Stadium. Kick-off is 12:30 p.m.

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