Gonzaga University
UNLV
Two Late Goals Rally Men's Soccer
9/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 28, 2003
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Gonzaga University scored two goals in the final three minutes Sunday for a stirring 3-2 comeback victory over host UNLV in the UNLV/FILA Classic men's soccer tournament.
Arni Ingi Pjetursson got the equalizer on a penalty kick at 87:12 and Scott Bertram nailed the winner at 89:14. Gonzaga (5-3-1) finished 1-0-1 in the tournament, the Bulldogs and the University of New Mexico playing to a 1-1 double overtime tie on Friday. UNLV (3-7-0) went winless after a 2-1 loss to Cal State Northridge on Friday.
UNLV didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard, Leandro Iocco scoring at 5:34 on an unassisted cross shot to the right post that beat Bulldog keeper Vito Higgins. The Rebels upped the lead to 2-0 at halftime when Salvatore Wise beat Higgins to the right post at 39:36.
Scott Yuska scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season at 54:37, converting a free kick for the unassisted goal that cut UNLV's lead to 2-1. The match stayed that way until Pjetursson scored his fifth goal of the season on the penalty kick, and 2:02 later Bertram tapped Kari Arnason's close-range cross past UNLV keeper Peter Clitheroe.
Gonzaga knows how UNLV feels, all three Bulldog losses this season coming late in the second half or in overtime after the Bulldogs held late leads.
Gonzaga had just five shots on goal among its 12 overall shots, but obviously the Bulldogs made the most of their opportunities. UNLV had six shots on goal in 13 shots. Higgins had four saves in goal for Gonzaga, Clitheroe two for UNLV.
The match also saw just 11 fouls called, seven on the home team.
Gonzaga will return home for the first time since Sept. 4 when the Bulldogs open West Coast Conference play Saturday against the University of Portland.
