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Utah Tech University Athletics

Stockton
Bailey Chamberlain / Utah Tech Athletics
1
Winner Utah Tech UTU (5-4-0, 1-0-0)
0
UTRGV UTRGv (4-5-0, 1-1-0)
Winner
Utah Tech UTU
(5-4-0, 1-0-0)
1
Final
0
UTRGV UTRGv
(4-5-0, 1-1-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Utah Tech UTU 0 1 1
UTRGV UTRGv 0 0 0

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Utah Tech Athletic Media Relations

Trailblazers Victorious in Conference Opener

Utah Tech defeats UTRGV, 1-0, on the road.

(Edinburg, Texas – Oct. 1, 2023) Utah Tech men's soccer played Sunday afternoon, defeating the Vaqueros of UTRGV 1-0 on the road. The result improves UT's record to 5-4 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
 
Angel Saldana and Julian Herrera once again featured at the back as the opening 45 minutes of play saw neither team find much offensive rhythm. Both teams did create some opportunities, with UTRGV putting three of four shots on goal and Utah Tech putting all four of its first half shots on goal. However, the combination of quality defensive play and sound goalkeeping kept the game level at half.
 
Both teams came out firing early in the second period of play as Sami Cuevas put a shot on goal less two minutes into the second half to force a save. UTRGV promptly raced right back up the field but had a shot hit the crossbar and careen out.
 
After a quick run of shots both defenses settled in. The Vaqueros looked to score once again after a ball over the top led to a one-on-one opportunity, but a strong hand from Stockton Short kept the game level at zero heading into a 70th minute hydration break.
 
Utah Tech came out of the break firing and found the breakthrough less than two minutes later.
 
Bryce Backlund carried the ball up the field to the edge of the 18 and played a ball into the far corner for Sami Cuevas, who cut around his defender and finished to the near post to give Utah Tech the 1-0 lead it was looking for. The goal is Cuevas' second in as many games, having scored the equalizer in a 2-1 victory over UC San Diego last weekend.
 
The Trailblazer defense would then limit UTRGV to just two shots in the final 18 minutes to secure victory number five on the season.
 
UTRGV held a 12-7 advantage in shots but Utah Tech put six shots on goal to the Vaqueros' five, as the Trailblazers drew six fouls and were only called offside once. Cuevas' four shots led all players while Short would finish with five saves in net.
 
Utah Tech is back in action next weekend, hosting Utah Valley and San Jose State. Kickoff against the Wolverines is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday.
 
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