NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The College of Southern Nevada men's soccer team wasted little time making its mark on the 2026 season.
Alejandro Marquez found the back of the net just seven minutes into Friday's season opener, and the Coyotes made the early advantage stand for a 1-0 victory over Truckee Meadows Community College at Cheyenne Sports Complex.
Marquez provided the only offense CSN would need, scoring in the seventh minute to give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead. From there, Southern Nevada turned to its defense and goalkeeper Diego Mendez to protect the advantage.
Mendez delivered a clean sheet in his first appearance of the season, going the full 90 minutes in goal and recording four saves as CSN kept Truckee Meadows off the scoreboard.
The Coyotes held a 10-8 advantage in total shots, with Javier Montes leading the attack with four attempts. Justin Gilliland and Erik Espinoza added two shots apiece, while Marquez and Landen Mendiola each recorded one.
Truckee Meadows generated six of its eight shots in the opening half but was unable to break through against Mendez and the CSN back line. The Coyotes limited the visitors to just two shots after halftime while protecting their one-goal advantage.
The match grew increasingly physical in the second half. CSN was whistled for 15 fouls compared with 10 for Truckee Meadows, with six yellow cards issued between the two teams. Javier Montes, Erick Gonzalez-Garza, Erik Espinoza and Nicolos Gilbert received cautions for the Coyotes.
With the victory, Southern Nevada opens the season 1-0, while Truckee Meadows falls to 0-1.
The Coyotes have a quick turnaround, returning to Cheyenne Sports Complex on Saturday, Aug. 22, for an 11 a.m. matchup against Utah State Eastern.
