Box Score

Jimenez, Diaz, and Munoz Post-Match Interview (video)

HOUSTON – Facing a must-win situation, Houston Baptist scored four first-half goals and never looked back, as the Huskies defeated visiting UNLV, 4-1, in MPSF action Sunday afternoon at Sorrels Field.

The Huskies entered the match with the Rebels one point behind Denver for the last playoff spot.

It didn't take long for HBU to get control, as Christian Cruz scored the first of his two goals just 1:46 into the match, as he headed a free kick from Mark Gendi.

Kristopher Tyrpak made it 2-0 Huskies in the 12th minute, assisted by Mateo Jimenez. Jimenez sent a cross pass, which Tyrpak one-touched to the lower left part of the net.

Zach Pierce made it 3-0 Huskies six minutes later, as he scored after a UNLV turnover in their zone.

Despite leading 3-0, the Huskies faced some adversity, as George Kelley picked up his second yellow card of the match in the 19th minute, resulting in a red card, and the Huskies played short a man for the remainder of the match.

But Cruz would not allow UNLV to claw back into the match, as he scored his second goal of the match in the 22nd minute, assisted by Jimenez. Cruz headed the corner kick into the back of the net.

UNLV got on the board in the 28th minute, as Salvador Bernal scored on a bicycle kick, assisted by Rodrigo Fuentes.

HBU outshot UNLV 11-7 in the first half and edged the Rebels, 2-1, in corner kicks.

HBU played more defensively and conservatively in the second half, with a three-goal lead and playing a man down. UNLV outshot the Huskies 9-2 that half and 16-12 in the match. Kevin Suarez made two second-half saves and three total for the Huskies.

Cruz had a four-point match for HBU, while Jimenez and Gendi each had two-assist matches. Tyrpak took a team-high seven shots.

Bernal had a match-high seven shot attempts for UNLV (5-11-1, 3-4-0 MPSF), two hitting the target. Joe Vitale took the loss, allowing four goals and making two saves in all 90 minutes.

HBU (4-7-2, 2-3-2 MPSF) hits the road for the final three regular season matches. The Huskies' first stop will be Seattle University on Oct. 26 at 9 pm CST.