Wyoming soccer emphatically rallies past Nevada, 3-1

* University of Wyoming press release

RENO, Nev., -- The University of Wyoming and Nevada played 76 minutes of scoreless soccer Thursday night at Mackay Stadium. The final 14 minutes featured a barrage of goals, the majority of which were scored by the road team.

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The Cowgirls authoritatively rallied past Nevada for a 3-1 victory. The win pushes Wyoming to 3-5-4 on the season and 2-2-1 (seven points) in Mountain West Conference play, while the loss drops the Wolf Pack to 2-7-3 overall and 1-3-1 (four points) in league action.

“I’m just glad the players finally got to see what they’re really capable of,” head coach Colleen Corbin said. “We played really good soccer. We didn’t’ get lucky. We definitely created some really awesome chances because of the type of soccer we were playing. They imposed themselves and dictated the pace and flow of the game.”

Wyoming ended the contest with all the fireworks, but Nevada fired the first one. Luz Arreaga found the back of the net off a feed from Abigail Souza in the 77th minute to give the game its first tally.

The Cowgirls didn’t recoil, whatsoever. Corbin, who has commended her team’s recent toughness, couldn’t have stood happier with how much they exemplified that.

Freshman Alyssa Glover scored the equalizer in the 81st minute. Senior Keelie Wortmann served a long ball into the box that ricocheted off a Nevada defender and into the prompt foot of Glover for her first-career goal.

“Credit to Alyssa Glover for coming in and changing the game,” Corbin said. “That’s why we don’t call them starters or bench players or subs. We call them the first on the field and the game changers and that’s exactly what she did – she changed the game.”

Glover’s score was followed by another beautifully crafted set piece during the 86th minute. Senior Jamie Tatum sent a corner kick into the box that found sophomore Taylor Brook who deposited it in the back of the net during the 86th minute, which made it 2-1.

“We scored on another set piece, which is super exciting because we’ve practicing those a lot, so that was a lot of fun,” Corbin said. “I was really happy for Taylor Brook. She’s been working her butt off, and it doesn’t show up on a stat sheet, so for her to get a goal and give us the go-ahead was awesome.”

Sophomore Maddi Chance put the finishing touches on the emphatic come-from-behind victory. She rocketed in a pass from Glover from outside the box that bested Nevada goalkeeper Kendall Stovall and gave the game its final score.

“Maddi Chance hit that ball with such confidence,” Corbin said.

The win marked the second comeback conference victory in the last three games for Wyoming after it rallied past Utah State a week ago. It also represented the first road victory of the season, and the confidence built Thursday will pay dividends down the road.

“For us to respond in the way we did, and decide that’s not how the day was going to go, is a huge step forward for our program, especially on the road,” Corbin said.

Wyoming peppered Nevada with 23 shots, 14 of which were on frame, as Stovall ended with 10 saves. The Wolf Pack managed just two shots, seven of which were on target, as Cowgirl senior goalkeeper Miyuki Schoyen logged one save on the night.

Tatum led the way with seven shots. Junior Jazi Barela registered four shots, while Chance and sophomore Eliza-Grace Smith had three each.

Wyoming remains in the state of Nevada, traveling to UNLV on Sunday. That match is set for 2 p.m. at Peter Johann Memorial Field.