Utah Tech men's soccer suffered a close 1-0 loss against Utah Valley on Friday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Utah Tech started the first half playing an even tempo with the Wolverines. Both sides were able to control the ball but the possession was evenly split among the two sides. In the opening half hour of play both sides had just one shot on goal.
Utah Valley was able to find an opening goal from seemingly nowhere. Despite the Trailblazers remaining with consistent possession, the Wolverines' Alejandro Silva was able to pull a long-distance shot off and tucked it into the near post, just out of freshman goalkeeper Stockton Short's reach.
Just minutes later, Short made a key save to keep it a one goal game. The Wolverines earned a setpiece atop the 18 yard-box that went to Short's far post, a diving out-stretched hand was able to knock the attempt off frame and out of play.
Right before the halftime break the Trailblazers nearly got on the board. Larsen Rogers was able to capitalize off some confusion on the Wolverine backline and get a shot off, but a big save from the UVU goalkeeper kept the Trailblazers at the 1-0 deficit.
The Trailblazers dealt with Utah Valley's press through the opening half hour of the second half. Despite the Wolverines having a majority of the ball they were able to get just two shots off and neither were too much for Short to deal with.
In the final 15 minutes of play the Trailblazers made one final push to get a goal on the night but to no avail. At the end of the match the Trailblazers would fall 1-0 against the Wolverines.
STAT BREAKDOWN: The Trailblazers had four shots with one on goal.
Larsen Rogers had three and
Dunes Nielsen had one.
Stockton Short started and played the full 90 minutes in goal, making two saves and allowing one goal.
Utah Valley ended the match with eight shots, having three on goal. The team was shown two yellow cards, and their goalkeeper made two saves.
NOTES TO KNOW: The Trailblazers now have a 3-10-2 record on the season and have a 1-3-2 record in WAC play. The Blazers have scored nine goals this season and have two shutouts.
Niko Shumov was shown yellow in the 77th minute as the lone Trailblazer of the match to be shown a caution.
UP NEXT: Utah Tech will head to California for their final road match of the 2022 season. The Trailblazes will take on the CBU Lancers on Sunday, Oct. 30th at 8 p.m. (MT) to close out the road slate. The Trailblazers will return home for Senior Night on Nov. 4 for a match with UNLV at 7 p.m. inside Greater Zion Stadium.
