The UNLV women's soccer team captured its inaugural victory under head coach Kacey Bingham with a 1-0 shutout over Portland State on Tuesday night at Mustang Memorial Field in Las Vegas.
Kaitlin Taylor was the decisive factor, heading home a cross from seven yards out in the 20th minute to put the Rebels ahead. The goal marked Taylor's tenth career tally and her fourth game‑winning strike, underscoring her knack for arriving at the right place at the right time.
Between the lines, sophomore defender Madison Encinas contributed her first career assist, delivering a perfectly placed free‑kick that set up Taylor's header. The play highlighted the team's growing chemistry on set pieces.
Goalkeeper Riley Hodson was a wall between the posts, making six saves on the six shots that tested her. Her performance not only secured the clean sheet but also earned her first career shutout and win, a milestone made sweeter by her two‑year stint at Portland State before transferring to UNLV.
The Rebels dominated possession, holding the ball for 56 percent of the match and spending 80 percent of that time in the attacking half. They earned 13 corners to just two for the Vikings, even though total shots were tied at 11, illustrating a higher quality of chances.
A New Era Takes Shape
Coach Kacey Bingham's first Division I win came as the program's defensive discipline paid dividends. The shutout represents a promising start to his tenure and signals that the Rebels are poised to build on this foundation.
The victory also resonated beyond the scoreboard, as it marked the first time the program achieved a clean sheet in a Division I contest under Bingham's guidance. With a blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent, UNLV looks forward to translating this early success into a sustained push for conference relevance.