(Moraga, Calif. – Aug. 27, 2023) Trailblazer men's soccer was on the road Sunday afternoon, defeating the St. Mary's Gaels 2-1 at St. Mary's Stadium. The result marks Utah Tech's first win of the 2023 season.
 
Sami Cuevas earned his first career start as it would be the hosts who found the first breakthrough just 65 seconds in the game. Despite the early deficit, Utah Tech would quickly fight back. Off a minute corner kick, AJ Ciampini went up for a contested ball in the box that would result in a St. Mary's defender heading the ball straight into the left corner of his own net, leveling the game at one in the 23^rd minute.
 
Just 12 minutes later, Utah Tech found a breakthrough off the foot of Jimi Villasenor, who took the ball straight of SMC's defender on the left side of the box and fired a shot past the goalkeeper's near post to take a 2-1 advantage. Villasenor's goal was the second of his collegiate career after scoring against UC Riverside in September of 2021.
 
Utah Tech would create several chances in the second half, out-shooting St. Mary's 10-4, and looked primed for another goal after Abigay Gomez, Alejandro Valdes, Sami Cuevas, Denilson Velasquez and Oliver Stone all recorded shots in the final two minutes of game action. Though unable to break through, the Trailblazers managed the final 60 seconds of game action to secure a 2-1 road victory.
 
UT out-shot St. Mary's 19-8 (9-3 on goal) while holding a 10-8 advantage in corner kicks and drawing 16 fouls. Ciampini, Velasquez and Carlos Vargas led the team with three shots apiece while Cuevas' two shots on goal tied for the team-lead. Stockton Short made two saves in net as he along with Villasenor and Julian Herrera played the full 90 minutes.
 
Trailblazer men's soccer continues its California road trip next week, facing Sacramento State on Thursday.