Soccer teams ready to open

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 9:29 a.m.

The UNLV women's soccer team will begin the 2003 season today at home against Drury University at 7:30 p.m. at Peter Johann Memorial Field.

The Rebels have been picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West Conference in a preseason vote by the league's coaches.

Top returners for the team include Tania Lee, Annii Magliulo, Nickie Olson and Jenna Huff.

Lee, a 2002 All-MWC first team honoree, is a senior defender/midfielder. Magliulo, a junior forward/midfielder, was the 2002 Rebels scoring leader (11 goals, 3 assists). Olson, a sophomore forward/midfielder, scored 7 goals and had 2 assists last season, while Huff, a sophomore goalkeeper recorded 67 saves in goal and had a 1.28 goals against average.

The team returns 15 starters and 21 letter-winners off last year's 10-8-1 squad that finished tied for fifth in the MWC at 2-4-0.

Head coach Dan Abdalla is entering his fourth season and has compiled a 33-24-3 career record over his first three seasons.

On Sunday, a women's doubleheader is scheduled on campus. Southern Utah faces Drury at 11 a.m.. followed by Utah State against UNLV at 1 p.m.

The Rebels have been picked to finish third in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in a preseason vote by the league's coaches.

Top returners for the team include Alex Hernandez, Rod Dyachenko, Leandro Iocco and Kristian Paananen.

Hernandez, a 2002 All-MPSF first team selection, is a senior midfielder and led the team in scoring last year with 11 goals and 11 assists. Dyachenko, a sophomore midfielder, scored 7 goals and had 1 assist last season. Iocco, a senior forward, scored 3 goals and had 1 assist, while Paananen, a junior defender, was honorable mention All-MPSF.

The team returns nine starters and 14 letter-winners off last year's 12-8-0 squad that finished third in the MPSF at 4-2-0.

Head coach Barry Barto is entering his 22nd season at UNLV and has a record of 207-160-37. He is entering his 28th season overall as a head coach and has a career mark of 292-185-43.

On Monday, UNLV will face Portland at 2:15 p.m. before heading back to Las Vegas to open its home slate on Sept. 5 against Wisconsin.

Freight, 17, of Placentia, Calif., joins the Rebels in time to play in 2004. A two-sport star and honor student at El Dorado High School, Freight was a first-team All-Century League choice in the outfield as a senior.

"We are excited that Brittany has chosen to become a Rebel," Alameda said. 'She is an incredibly hard-working student-athlete and she marks the beginning of this program's push toward the goal of the top 25."

A left-handed slap-hitter, Freight also carries a wealth of club experience into Las Vegas. Six years ago, her Under-12 team, the Invasion, won the 1997 ASA National Championship. She spent the last two seasons with the Under-18 Case Batbusters.