Who | Utah Tech (6-5, 2-1) at UNLV (4-5-2, 2-1) / vs Air Force (0-11-1, 0-3)
When | Thursday, Oct. 12 – 9:30 p.m. / Sunday, Oct. 15 – 1:30 p.m.
Where | Johann Memorial Field – Las Vegas, Nev. / Greater Zion Stadium
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

Scouting the Competition:
Utah Tech currently holds a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series against UNLV, winning the last two contests by a combined score of 4-1. Jimi Villasenor started and scored in the team's last visit to Las Vegas, a 3-1 victory played on Nov. 6, 2021, while Kyle Walbruch was credited with an assist in a 1-0 home victory last year.
 
The Rebels have posted a 4-5-2 record this season that includes a 2-1 record against WAC opponents and are coming off a 2-0 weekend; it started with a 2-0 road win over San Jose State and culminated in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory at Air Force. Four players have scored two goals this season while Nico Lopez's five assists leads the team.
 
The Falcons have controlled the all-time series against Utah Tech, entering this weekend's game with a 3-0 record across three Division-I matchups. Villasenor and Carlos Vargas each recorded a shot on goal in last year's contest as the visitors took a 3-0 victory.
 
This year, Air Force is winless in 12 games and coming off weekend that saw the team play Seattle U on the road before hosting UNLV. Remi Smith and Luke Hill lead the team with three goals each while goalkeeper Jakob Stone has made 29 saves across 11 appearances in goal.
 
AFA is set to face Utah Valley on Thursday before Sunday's game in St. George.
 
Rivalry Wins
Utah Tech secured a 2-1 victory over Utah Valley on Thursday, coming from behind to claim the program's first win over UVU in program history after falling in the previous two matchups. The Wolverines took a lead in the 33^rd minute after scoring off a direct free kick but two second-half goals paved the way for a win. The Trailblazers out-shot UVU 11-10 (6-4 on goal) while taking five corner kicks and drawing 18 fouls.

The Freshmen Score… Again
Thursday's comeback win was fueled by a pair of freshman forwards, as Austin Wallace and Sami Cuevas tightened their grips on the team-lead for goals scored. Wallace's 73^rd minute header was his fourth of the season while Cuevas' game winner in the 86^th was his third in as many games and second game-winner.
 
Firsts
Against UVU, Utah Tech also had several players credited with their first assists. Andre Saucedo and Miguel Regino recorded their first assists as collegiate athletes while Jerod Allen got on the board with his first of the 2023 campaign.
 
On Sunday against San Jose State, Bladimir Cuevas made his first start as a Trailblazer while Gavin Coe's 28 minutes off the bench marked his first appearance of the season.
 
How They Rank
Damian Arguello ranks eighth in the WAC with 2.0 shots per game and is tied for sixth with 22 total shots… Sami Cuevas' 26 shots is third most while he's tied for seventh with three goals on the year… Stockton Short's 75.5 save percentage and 1.18 goals against average both rank second-best.
 
Final Five
Utah Tech has just three games remaining on the schedule after this weekend's contests, facing Grand Canyon and California Baptist on the road next weekend before hosting Seattle U on Oct. 26 to conclude the regular season.
 
Should UT finish among the top-six in the WAC standings, the 2023 WAC Men's Soccer Championship is scheduled for Nov. 5-11 at Peter Johann Memorial Field in Las Vegas, Nev.