Julia Salem had already helped UNLV build its lead Thursday night. When that lead disappeared, she delivered the goal that mattered most.
Salem scored in the 69th minute after Pacific erased a two-goal deficit, lifting the Rebels to a 3-2 win at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The victory moved UNLV to 2-4-2 and gave the Rebels a needed response in their final match before Mountain West play.
Fast start, real reward
UNLV controlled the better chances in the opening half and eventually made that pressure count. The Rebels outshot Pacific 8-2 before halftime while keeping the Tigers from creating sustained danger around Riley Hodson’s goal.
Kamri Yergensen opened the scoring at 25:15 with her first goal of the season. Eleven minutes later, Kaitlin Taylor doubled the advantage with her fifth goal of the year after Salem and Tori Martinez combined for the assists.
That second goal gave UNLV a 2-0 cushion and capped its strongest attacking half of the night. Taylor continued to provide the finishing presence that has defined the Rebels’ attack, while Salem began influencing the match before scoring herself.
The two-goal advantage looked comfortable at halftime. Pacific needed less than 16 minutes of the second half to erase it.
A lead disappears
Kaya Rosa cut the deficit in half at 49:01, finishing a chance created by Avery Thal. Pacific immediately looked more dangerous than it had during the opening 45 minutes.
The Tigers completed the comeback at 60:45. Janelli Villagran struck the woodwork during the sequence before Julie Valdez converted to make it 2-2.
Pacific’s response changed the match completely. The Tigers produced nine shots after halftime after managing only two before the break, forcing UNLV to handle a game that suddenly looked nothing like the one it had controlled early.
The Rebels did not let that swing last.
Salem answers back
Eight minutes after Pacific tied the match, Salem restored UNLV’s lead.
Felicity Garcia and Madison Encinas were credited with the assists on Salem’s goal at 68:35. It was Salem’s second goal of the season and completed a three-point night after her earlier assist on Taylor’s finish.
More importantly, it came at the exact moment UNLV needed someone to stop Pacific’s momentum.
Salem finished with three shots, including two on goal. Her efficiency stood out on a night when UNLV produced a season-high 14 total attempts and put eight on target.
Pacific still had opportunities to answer again. Hodson stopped Villagran in the 75th minute and Valdez in the 86th, while Villagran struck the woodwork again moments later.
This time, UNLV protected the lead.
A win earned twice
The final numbers reflected how dramatically the match changed after halftime.
UNLV finished with a 14-11 edge in shots and an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Rebels also held a 4-3 edge in corners, while Hodson made three saves to preserve the result.
Yet the value of the win went beyond simply creating more chances. UNLV had to win the match twice, first by building a 2-0 lead and then by responding after Pacific erased it.
That second part may matter more as conference play approaches.
The Rebels had already shown they could create goals, scoring three at Idaho State and two at CSUN earlier this season. Against Pacific, they showed they could absorb a momentum swing and still find the decisive play.
Salem provided it.
Conference play comes next
UNLV now turns toward Mountain West competition with a victory behind it.
The Rebels host UTEP on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Peter Johann Memorial Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
