RIVERSIDE, Calif.— The UC Riverside Men's Soccer Team (0-6-1) fell in its home opener Friday night as the Highlanders came up just short against UNLV (5-2-0) 3-2. After heading into half-time down 2-0 senior Edward Benito and the Highlanders would fight back to add two of their own in the final 45, but the Rebels would hang on for their 5th win of the season.

Both teams got out to a slow start as the match was scoreless until the 33rd minute where UNLV broke the tie with the first goal of the game. The Rebels would quickly make it 2-0 notching another in the 38th minute.

The Highlanders 1st half offensive efforts were contained, as the team only registered four shots, but UCR would rise to the occasion in the 2nd half firing off 11 shots and scoring two goals. They would end the match winning the shot battle over the Rebels 15-13.

UCR broke the scoreboard for the first time in the 56th minute as Benito blasted in a ball setup by fellow senior Alan Alcantara for his first goal of the season. Just seven minutes later the senior midfielder would strike again in response to a Rebel goal the gave UNLV a 3-1 lead. Exactly 19 seconds after the Rebels found their third goal of the match, Benito found a ball from freshman Dorian Morrison and put it past the posts to cut the lead to 3-2.

The Highlanders would put up seven shots on goal in the 2nd half alone, but could not complete the comeback falling 3-2.

Junior Edwyn Gutierrez played between the posts for th Highlander registering a match-high six saves.

UC Riverside will be back at the UCR Soccer Stadium this Sunday as the Highlanders take on Saint Mary's at 1:00 PM.

Visit gohighlanders.com/tickets to purchase tickets to Sunday's match.