KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Defending tournament champion UNLV kept its tournament success going in the first game of the 2015 WAC Men's Soccer tournament, defeating San José State, 3-1, on Thursday afternoon at Durwood Soccer Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
UNLV's Kevin Partida opened up the tournament with a goal in the 18th minute to give the Rebels the initial lead and teammate Shota Takada made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute for UNLV.
In the second half, San José State kept right with the Rebels but UNLV was able to make it 3-0 in the 72nd minute on a goal by Blake Balelo. The Spartans weren't ready to give up and they got on the board in the 86th minute as Jonathan Colunga fed in a ball to the head of Greg Harte, who scored his first goal of the season.
SJSU held a 22-12 advantage on shots but UNLV keeper Richard Garness was solid between the posts, making seven saves to send the Rebels to the second round.
With the win, UNLV advances to play second-seed Utah Valley on Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in the first of two semifinal contests.