(St. George, Utah – Oct. 5, 2023) Utah Tech men's soccer played Thursday night, defeating the Utah Valley Wolverines 2-1 at Greater Zion Stadium. The result was UT's third win in a row, fourth in the last five, and improves the team's overall record to 6-4.
 
"This is an emotional one because it's UVU and all the guys know each other so I'm happy for them," head coach Jonny Broadhead said. "We created some opportunities but we weren't that sharp in the first half, but I'll give credit our guys. Jerod Allen subbed on in the second half, really did a great job weathering the storm and we found some holes behind. What a ball from Jerod to (Austin Wallace) for his fourth goal and (Sami Cuevas) his third goal in three games, that's our third come from behind win.
 
"The resiliency to come from behind, what that does for these guys, they're on cloud nine," Broadhead added. "There were tons of fans out here tonight which also made an impact. Slow start but ultimately a great response in the second half."
 
Julian Herrera and Angel Saldana started in the Trailblazer back line as it would be the visitors who put pressure on Utah Tech early. After having two shots blocked in the opening two minutes before Stockton Short came up with a fourth minute save.
 
After both teams settled in, UVU would still find the first goal, scoring off a direct free kick in the 33^rd minute to take a 1-0 lead that would hold into halftime.
 
The Trailblazers looked like they would level things in the game's 59^th minute, but Bryce Backlund's chip shot from the edge of the box would be saved off the line. Though UVU held Utah Tech scoreless, it would not take much time before the game-tying goal would be scored.
 
After a long ball over the top, Andre Saucedo battled to maintain possession and cut in towards goal near the edge of the box, laying a pass out to Jerod Allen. Allen would then cut around the UVU defense, find the end line and play a ball across the face of goal where Austin Wallace was waiting to head in the game-tying goal.
 
For Wallace, his near-post finish was his team-leading fourth of the season and gave the Trailblazer offense momentum heading into the final stretch of the game.
 
That momentum carried into the waning moments, as the 86^th minute proved to be pivotal for Utah Tech.
 
After finding a channel between two UVU defenders, Sami Cuevas received a pass from Miguel Regino and, despite a limited angle, let fly and finished at the far post, putting Utah Tech ahead 2-1 with just 4:07 on the clock. Cuevas' goal was his third in as many games and comes less than a week after scoring a game-winner against UTRGV.
 
Stockton short would make one save in the final four minutes as the final horn sounded with Utah Tech leading, 2-1.
 
The Trailblazers held an 11-10 advantage in total shots – including a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal – while taking five corner kicks and drawing 18 Wolverine fouls. Damian Arguello's three shots led the team while Regino and Andre Saucedo were both credited with their first collegiate assists.

"I thought Miguel Regino as a right back subbed in and did a great job, Bryce Backlund came in and got dangerous, Ethan Bell came in and put a good shift in, Andre Saucedo too," Broadhead said. "All those guys who subbed in and stuck it out the whole time - (Damian Arguello) going 90 minutes and (Abigay Gomez) going 85, I thought we played good soccer and played as a team."
 
Thursday's result also marked the first time in program history that a Trailblazer men's soccer team has knocked off Utah Valley.
 
"These guys are motivated by so many things, and that includes playing teams we haven't beat," Coach Broadhead said. "We've started to beat some of those teams so to prove that we can get over the hump, the belief that is there, it's awesome."
 
Utah Tech returns to action on Sunday, hosting the San Jose State Spartans. Kickoff at Greater Zion Stadium is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.