Freshman defender Ismael Echeverria put the Hornets on the board first in the 19th minute when he collected a loose ball in the box and sent a shot to the left post.

The Hornets’ lead increased to 2-0 in the 36th minute when UNLV placed the ball in its own net. Kristian Paanamen attempted to pass the ball back to goalie Peter Clitheroe, but the pass was too fast and would go past Clitheroe into the net for an own goal.

Freshman forward Kris McAlavey tallied the squad’s final goal in the 49th minute after on an assist by sophomore defender Eric Ortiz. Ortiz began the play by driving down the left side and crossing a pass back into the middle of the box to McAlavey. McAlavey placed a shot to the left post for the score.

UNLV got its first score of the afternoon in the 69th minute after Alex Hernandez connected on a penalty-kick goal. The Rebels received the free shot after Herbert Flores was taken down in the box by a Hornet defender.

UNLV cut the lead to 3-2 in the 85th minute when Salvatore Wise connected off an assist by Brendon Bain. Bain started the play by sailing a long pass over Hornet defenders to Wise in the middle of the field. Wise took the pass and scored from 15 yards out.

The Hornets held off a late fury by the Rebels in the final five minutes to earn the victory.

Senior goalkeeper Jeff Gibson posted a game-high seven saves to lead the Hornets.

Sacramento State will next complete the 2003 regular season this weekend beginning with San Diego State on Friday, Oct. 31, at 2:30 p.m. at Hornet Soccer Field. The Hornets will complete MPSF play at New Mexico on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m. Sacramento State, who currently sits second in the MPSF, will look to qualify for the conference tournament for a program-record third-consecutive season.