RENO, Nev. - First-half goals from Luz Arreaga and Emily Rich got Nevada off to the start it needed, head coach Vanessa Valentine got her first win at the Wolf Pack helm in the 2-0 decision over Northern Colorado Thursday night at Mackay Stadium.

The Pack (1-3-4) pressed the attack right from the start, carving through the Bear back line and delivering dangerous balls through the defense. The pressure paid off in the ninth minute, as Arreaga rose highest for Maddie Benson's pinpoint cross from the right flank, nodding home for her fourth goal of the campaign.

Nevada outshot Northern Colorado (0-8-1), 9-1 for the first half and 15-2 for the match. The Wolf Pack continued to pepper Bear goalkeeper Kaya Lindberg following Arreaga's opener, and nearly doubles its lead but Rich, one-on-one with Lindberg, pushed her effort just wide of the post.

Rich would redeem herself just after the half-hour mark. The speedy forward collected a pass in the box from Caly Ah Soon, turned her defender on the first touch, and put a clinical finish past Lindberg for her second of the season.

Alyssa Szarlacki made her collegiate debut for Nevada, getting the starting nod in goal. The San Jose, Calif., native was largely unchallenged over the first 45 minutes, collecting an easy save before Ally Larkin checked in for the second half and preserved the shared clean sheet.

Nevada's back line smothered Bear attackers, clogging passing lanes and deftly dispossessing Northern Colorado's forwards.

The Wolf Pack nearly made it three on two occasions in the second half. Approaching the hour mark, Olivia Loomis rattled the cross bar with a smash from past 30 yards, then six minutes later Brooklyn Blake was denied her first as Lindberg saved her point-blank effort in front.

Nevada will go for the weekend sweep Sunday, hosting Eastern Washington at noon.