RENO, Nev. - Beat your arch-rival. Earn three Silver State Series points. End your arch-rival's season.

Thursday night at Mackay Stadium could not have gone any better for Nevada, which capped its 2021 campaign with senior Hannah Souza providing the 86th-minute winner in the 1-0 victory over UNLV.

The win not only earned Nevada three crucial points in the Silver State Series presented by IBEW Local 401 and Nevada Donor Network, but it also prevented UNLV from qualifying for next week's Mountain West Tournament. The Rebels entered the day in sixth place, but, after Boise State's victory earlier Thursday, needed at least a draw against the Pack to earn the sixth and final spot in the tournament.

The Pack closed the season with an overall record of 5-11-2, but its 4-5-2 mark in conference play set program Mountain West records for wins and points (14) since joining the league in 2012. The four conference wins are also Nevada's most since posting five in WAC play in 2009.

Nevada's winner was a thing of brilliance in the waning minutes. The buildup began across midfield as the ball ended up at the feet of Emily Rich, who played a through ball up the right flank to Brooklyn Blake. Blake got the edge on her defender and sent a perfectly-timed cross across the mouth of the goal and onto the foot of Souza, who one-timed past Rebel goalkeeper Riley Liebsack.

From there, the Wolf Pack back line held firm, as goalkeeper Kendal Stovall posted her third clean sheet of the season. The Pack keeper made four saves on the night, including an outstretched effort to palm away a Lourdes Bosch shot headed for the left upper-90 in the 53rd minute.

Nevada nearly took the lead minutes later, but two saves in succession from Liebsack kept it scoreless. Penny Murphy was played through one-on-one with Liebsack in the 56th minute, with her blast stinging Liebsack's hands but staying out of the net. Trinity Sandridge pounced on the long rebound and sent a curling shot that was headed just under the crossbar but tipped into the bar by Liebsack. A short scramble ensued, with the Pack putting the ball in the back of the net, but the offsides flag was up, and the match remained scoreless.

As has been the case at Mackay in October, the Pack came out strong for the second half. Nevada was outshot, 7-1, over the opening 45 minutes. But the defense settled in after the break, allowing just Bosch's effort over the final half.