Men’s soccer coach leaves UNLV for Louisville job

Calling it an opportunity he couldn’t resist, Mario Sanchez resigned as the UNLV men’s soccer coach Friday to become an assistant at Louisville and reunite with his former boss.

Sanchez coached under Cardinals coach Ken Lolla from 2003 to 2005 when they were at Akron. Lolla has led the Cardinals to three straight NCAA Tournaments.

“It was an opportunity that arose to go to the Big East,” Sanchez said. “It was a family decision.”

Sanchez went 24-41-9 in four years but led the Rebels to an 8-7-4 record last season. It was their first winning season since 2002, and a veteran team is expected back.

“I’m proud of everything we’ve done,” Sanchez said, adding that he and his staff “felt like we established UNLV as one of the top programs on the West Coast. The next step for UNLV is to make the national stage. We’re leaving it better than when we got there.”

Sanchez is the second former Rebels head coach to take a job at Louisville this academic year. Football coach Mike Sanford was fired in November and hired a month later as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator.

Sanchez said he didn’t leave UNLV because he was concerned about the program disbanding if state funds are cut again, as is expected. “Jim (Livengood, athletic director) made a point of backing soccer,” Sanchez said.

• UNLV MEN’S TENNIS — The Rebels won their fourth straight match, defeating New Mexico State 5-2 at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.

Sophomore Mehdi Bouras led UNLV (4-1) with victories at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. Luca Barlocchi won at No. 2 singles and teamed with Bouras at No. 1 doubles.

Johannes Markel (No. 4) and Kasper Konyves (No. 5) also won singles matches for the Rebels, and Markel and Bernard Schoeman won at No. 3 doubles.

• UNLV WOMEN’S SOCCER — Goalie Kylie Wassell, a former Bonanza High School player, signed a national letter of intent, part of the Rebels’ nine-player recruiting class.

• CSN BASEBALL — Led by freshman Bryce Harper, the No. 1-ranked Coyotes defeated No. 11 Yavapai (Ariz.) College 6-3 and 5-0 at Morse Stadium.

Harper went 2-for-3 with a home run, a triple and four RBIs in the first game. He doubled and drove in a run in the second game.

Kenny McDowall allowed three hits and struck out eight in eight innings in the second game for CSN (8-0).