Rebels look to improve on soccer field in ‘98

Steve Carp

Thursday, Sept. 3, 1998 | 11:03 a.m.

He had burst upon the scene like a soccer supernova, an explosive goal-scorer who was a threat to find the back of the net every time he touched the ball.

But in three-plus years, the goals don't come with as much regularity. Perhaps the world caught up with Michael Griego through tighter marking, or he didn't put away the opportunities often enough.

One thing UNLV coach Barry Barto knows is that there are goal-scorers and guys who score goals. And when you need someone you can rely on to put the ball in the net, you need the former more than the latter.

After scoring 11 goals as a freshman, Griego has tallied just nine times in the past two years. Those numbers simply won't suffice.

So heading into his senior season off a 5-11-2 campaign, Griego finds himself as far away from the enemy's goal as possible. He's now a sweeper, trying to organize the UNLV defense, which includes stopper Todd Roberts and outside fullbacks Geoff Barto and T'Jon Akins.

"It's a tough adjustment," Griego said of moving to the back after running up front for three seasons. "But I think I can handle it. Having been a forward, I know how defenders think and I can use that to my advantage."

The 6-foot senior gets his first chance at 7 p.m. Friday when UNLV hosts Sacramento State in the Coors Light Classic at Peter Johann Field (St. Mary's meets Texas Christian at 9).

Barto said he's not expecting a flawless performance off the bat from Griego, but believes he can be a big help in the back.

"Mike's a veteran player. He knows the game," Barto said. "He's working hard and his attitude's probably the best I've seen in the four years he's been here.

"Mike's good at creating, He does everything you want a forward to do but finish. I just don't think he's a goal scorer. But he'll help us in the back. He reads the game as well as anyone and he's a mature player. I just want him to think defense first when he's back there."

Griego said whatever helps the team win is fine with him.

"It's all about the team," he said. "I think we have a chance to be successful this year. We brought in some very good players and with the guys coming back, I think we can win. This is my last year and I want to go out winning."

Corner kicks

* DUELING GOALIES: One of the best battles in fall camp has been in goal and coach Barry Barto said he will play both Ryan Bledsoe and Russell Miller this weekend in the Coors Light Classic. Bledsoe, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Eldorado High and a transfer from Santa Clara, will start Friday's game against Sacramento State. Miller, a 6-foot sophomore who previously played at North Carolina-Charlotte, will start Sunday's noon contest against St. Mary's. "They've both been exceptional and they both deserve to play," Barto said.

* LOOKING TO REBOUND: UNLV has endured five straight losing seasons, the latest being last year's 5-11-2 mark. Sacramento State, Friday's opponent, is coming off a 4-14 campaign and allowed 41 goals in 18 games. The Hornets opened their 1998 season Tuesday with a 0-0 tie with San Francisco State. St. Mary's, which will be UNLV's opponent at noon Sunday, is coming off an 8-9-2 season. The Gaels will have to find someone to replace departed forward Devin Ebright, who scored 13 goals last year.