LOS ANGELES — LMU defeated UNLV 1-0 on Wednesday night at Sullivan Field. The Lions saw the match out despite being down a man for the final 20-plus minutes.
The Lions opened the scoring in the 44th minute, when
Ismail Nieves finished a goal assisted by
Nathan Rodrigues and
Skyler Wright to put the Lions ahead 1-0. It was Nieves' first goal of the season and fourth career goal. Rodrigues whipped in a long ball from a free kick and Wright got his head on it before Nieves nodded in from close range. The goal withstood a video review from the UNLV coaching staff calling for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Earlier, the Lions answered an opening-minute UNLV shot off the woodwork by putting multiple attempts on frame, with
Sam Scott,
Adrian Alvarez and Matthew Sacristan each forcing saves from Hugo Lemos.
Ky Mani Dade kept the match scoreless during a UNLV push in the middle of the half, making back-to-back saves on Marius Gulbrandsen and Nick Legendre before the Lions worked through a foul-heavy stretch and earned a corner of their own.
The Lions continued to generate chances, including a
Samir Djeha shot saved in the 33rd minute and additional attempts from
Anthony Boyadjian and
Lewis Clutton, before Nieves' goal sent the Lions into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
LMU kept UNLV scoreless through a late push, with Dade saving Bryce Allred shots at 86:01 and 88:08 around a corner kick and a Mikah Madrid attempt as the score remained 1-0.
The Lions went down a man after Rodrigues was awarded his second yellow card in the 70th minute. Dade also stopped a Jacob Miranda shot at 75:36 after UNLV earned two corners, helping the Lions get through the second half without conceding. The score held at 1-0 through the final whistle, giving the Lions the win.
Ismail Nieves scored the Lions' goal on his lone shot and was credited with the game-winner. Dade played all 90 minutes in goal, made five saves, and finished with a shutout. This marked Dade's sixth career clean sheet.
Nathan Rodrigues and
Skyler Wright each recorded an assist.
Up next, the Lions host Cal Poly on Monday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. at Sullivan Field.
