UNLV’s soccer teams get seasons under way tonight

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999 | 10:11 a.m.

Both the UNLV men's and women's soccer teams will be looking to improve upon last year's performances as the Rebels open their 1999 seasons tonight.

The women's team, coming off an 8-10-1 inaugural season, opens its second season today at 6 p.m. against Weber State at Peter Johann Memorial Field on the UNLV campus.

Coach Staci Hendershott welcomes back 10 starters from last year's squad, including 1998 Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Anita Pedford. The midfielder led the Rebels in goals (19) and assists (6) last season.

The men's team, 7-11 a year ago, will play its season opener tonight at 7 at San Diego State before returning home this weekend to host West Virginia and Kentucky in the UNLV Snickers/FILA Rebel Classic at Johann Field.

The Rebels will be out to record their 100th victory at Johann Field when they host West Virginia at 7 p.m. Friday. UNLV is 99-56-18 at home since Johann Field opened in 1983.

Barry Barto, in his 18th year as head coach of the Rebels' men's team, will see eight starters and four seniors return from last year's squad, including three of UNLV's top four scorers -- senior Todd Roberts and sophomores Jason Melendez and Tyler Turchi.