SPOKANE, Wash. -- Despite having a tied game for most of the match, Gonzaga fell 2-1 to UNLV in the 2021 season opener Thursday (Aug. 26). 

The Rebels (1-0-0) got on the board first with a goal from Nicolas Likulia in the second minute, giving the team an early 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs (0-1-0) responded with a score from junior Demitrius Kigeya in the 34th minute with senior transfer and Spokane native, Noah Bushey, assisting on the goal for GU.

Going into the half tied at 1-1, both teams were even in possession time and both notched three shots. 

In the second half, the Bulldogs outshot UNLV 7-3, but could not find the back of the net as Marco Gonzalez eventually scored the game-winning goal for the Rebels in the 84th minute.

In the last six minutes of the contest, Gonzaga had three shots and didn't allow UNLV to attempt another shot. Overall, the Bulldogs outshot the Rebels 10-8 and redshirt sophomore Johan Garibay notched three saves in net.  

SERIES HISTORY
The Zags move to 6-4 overall versus UNLV with the series dating back to 1999. 

NEXT UP
GU hosts Bowling Green on Sunday, Aug. 29 at Luger Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Live stats and live video can be found on GoZags.com.