Who | Utah Tech (1-1) at Sacramento State (0-2)
When | Thursday, Aug. 31 – 6 p.m. MT
Where | Hornet Field – Sacramento, Calif.
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

Scouting the Competition
Sacramento State is 0-2 on the season, falling on the road to Portland and Gonzaga during the opening weekend of play. Simon Vaca-Lorenzi scored the Hornets' lone goal of the weekend as goalkeepers Edgar Guerra and Mac Learned combined to make nine saves across the two games.
 
All-Conference Honors
AJ Ciampini and Stockton Short were both named WAC Players of the Week on Tuesday.
 
Ciampini, the conference's Defender of the Week, started both games over the weekend, playing 165 total minutes. He recorded two shots (one on goal) against San Francisco on Thursday before recording three shots and two on goal in a victory on Sunday; he was also involved in the team's first goal against St. Mary's, a contested header that resulted in a Gael defender heading the ball into his own net.
 
Short played all 180 minutes this weekend on his way to Goalkeeper of the Week honors, making eight total saves and keeping a save percentage of .800 across 25 shots faced. He made six saves against San Francisco on Thursday before adding two more in that victory against St. Mary's.
 
Win No. 1
Head coach Jonny Broadhead's side earned its first victory of the 2023 season against St. Mary's on Sunday, defeating the Gaels 2-1. Sami Cuevas earned his first career start but it would be Jimi Villasenor who netted the game-winner, as high pressure resulted in an opportunity on net that he finished in the 35^th minute.
 
The Trailblazer defense would stand tall limit St. Mary's to just three shots on goal the entire game to claim a 2-1 victory.
 
California
Thursday's game at Sacramento State will be Utah Tech's third consecutive in the state of California after facing San Francisco and St. Mary's last weekend. The Trailblazers will head back to The Golden State in late September, facing both San Diego State (Sept. 21) and UC San Diego (Sept. 23) to round out non-conference play.
 
Veteran Leadership
The opening weekend of play saw several veteran players earn large amounts of playing time, as Jimi Villasenor (redshirt junior) and Julian Herrera (senior) both played all 180 minutes, making them the only outfield players on the roster to play in every minute. Playing alongside Herrera on the backline, junior defender Angel Saldana played all but nine minutes over the weekend.
 
Drawing Fouls
Utah Tech found success in drawing fouls on opposing teams, something that the 2022 squad also did effectively. After committing 55 few fouls (189) than the team drew (244) last year, the Trailblazers opened up the regular season by committing just 23 to their opponents' 33.
 
What's Next
With no games scheduled for next week, Utah Tech returns to action in St. Charles, Mo., on Sept. 10. Kickoff against the Lindenwood Lions is scheduled for 12 p.m. MT.