LAS VEGAS – Host and No. 4 seed UNLV completed the upset of the 2023 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) men’s soccer season, handing No. 1 seed Seattle U its first loss since mid-September with a 2-1 semifinal win in overtime on Wednesday at the WAC Men’s Soccer Tournament. The Rebels connected on the winning penalty kick as the second overtime period expired to send UNLV to its first WAC men’s soccer final since 2016.
 
UNLV is looking to become the second host school to capture the WAC Men’s Soccer Tournament in as many seasons, as No. 2 seed and defending champion California Baptist returned to the conference final after downing No. 3 Utah Tech 2-0 in the nightcap on Wednesday at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Lancers are aiming to become the first WAC men’s soccer team to ever repeat as conference tournament champions.
 
No. 4 UNLV 2, No. 1 Seattle U 1 (OT)
 
No. 1 seed Seattle U finished the contest with an 18-4 edge in total shot attempts, but No. 4 UNLV made both of its shots on goal count in a thrilling 2-1 win in the first semifinal of the 2023 conference tournament. Hermann Ragnarsson struck first for the Rebels at 20:45, before Seattle U’s Mo Mohamed answered with his first career goal to square the match at 1-1 at 25:37. The match seemed destined for a penalty shootout at the end of the 20 minutes of overtime, but a Redhawk foul inside the 18-yard box gave UNLV an attempt from the spot at the horn. Gabe Sanchez made the try count, burying a right-footed strike into the upper left of the net to send the hosts on to the final.
 
UNLV freshman goalkeeper Hugo Lemos turned in five saves in the Rebel frame for the victory. Lemos made four of his five stops in the second half and overtime.
 
No. 2 California Baptist 2, No. 3 Utah Tech 0
 
A game No. 3 seed Utah Tech managed to outshoot the defending champion by a 16-7 count on the night, but No. 2 California Baptist notched five shots on target to the four of the Trailblazers in a 2-0 clean sheet. Georg Bjarnason opened the scoring in the 13th minute, finishing a Luis Mueller feed at 12:54 for the 1-0 advantage. Mueller added an insurance goal of his own at 16:24, slotting a looping cross into the box with an artful right foot into the opposite corner of the net to provide the final scoreline.
 
CBU goalkeeper Nolan Premack contributed four saves to the Lancer cause in goal to preserve the shutout.