Utah Tech men's soccer earned its first win of the 2022 season with a 1-0 win over CSU Bakersfield. The lone goal came from the left foot of captain Larsen Rogers in the 16th minute.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Trailblazers started the match strongly, with Rogers and Kyle Walbruch testing the CSUB goalkeeper early on. The Trailblazers continued their press until they broke through on goal in the 16th minute.

To set up the goal, Tyson Nguyen struck a long ball upfield and found the feet of Kyle Walbruch. After a few touches, Walbruch slid the ball off to an onrushing Larsen Rogers, who took a touch inside past a defender and got the ball to his preferred left foot. Rogers hit a powerful shot inside the 18-yard box, beating the Roadrunner's keeper at the near post.

Through the rest of the half, the Trailblazers fought to tack on a second goal but couldn't and headed to the halftime break holding their 1-0 lead.

The second half of the match forced sophomore goalkeeper Jacob Zimmerman to stand on his head to preserve the shutout. CSUB was pressing heavily, trying to find an equalizing goal with six shots in the second half. Zimmerman would earn his second-career shutout on the night after preserving the 1-0 lead for 90 minutes.

Tensions rose and chances were created throughout the second half as Utah Tech 
fought to preserve their 1-0 lead while the Roadrunners hoped to spoil it. Despite the team's efforts at a second goal on the night, the Trailblazers would take home a 1-0 win over the Roadrunners and return to Utah with their first win.

STAT BREAKDOWN:  The Trailblazers had five shots with three on goal. Dunes Nielsen led the team with two shots, followed by Larsen Rogers, Niko Shumov, and Kyle Walbruch with one of their own.

Jacob Zimmerman started and played the full 90 minutes in goal, making two saves and earning a shutout on the night.

UCSB ended the match with nine shots, having two on goal. The team was shown three yellow cards, and their goalkeeper made two saves.

NOTES TO KNOW: This is the Trailblazers' first win of the season, and Utah Tech now has a 1-3-0 record on the season. 

UP NEXT: Utah Tech returns home for two matches at Greater Zion Stadium. The Blazers will face off with Santa Clara on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 pm before closing the week with a Friday night matchup versus Sacramento State.