(Sacramento, Calif. – Aug. 31, 2023) Utah Tech men's soccer played Thursday night, falling 1-0 in a road match against the Hornets of Sacramento State.
 
Utah Tech found several early opportunities, with Damian Arguello, AJ Ciampini and Sami Cuevas all finding looks within the first 20 minutes, but Sacramento State's goalkeeper came up with multiple saves to keep the game level at zero.

Despite early momentum, it would be the hosts who found the game's first goal, scoring in the 38^th minute. UT would not find a counter in the first half as Sacramento State held a 1-0 lead at the halftime break.
 
Stockton Short, the reigning WAC Goalkeeper of the Week would show what he's capable of with a huge save in the 56^th minute, coming off his line to block a shot near the edge of the box. The Trailblazers drew a penalty two minutes later but were unable to level the game.
 
Sacramento State went down to 10 men in the 70^th minute after a high kick resulted in a red card and UT quickly ramped up the pressure. The Trailblazers looked close to finding a leveler when Denilson Velasquez forced a save at the near post in the 84^th and continued in the 87^th minute, when Bubu Medina forced an acrobatic save from the Hornet goalkeeper after finding an open header off a corner kick.
 
Despite the opportunities, Sacramento State's defense stood tall and kept Utah Tech off the scoresheet as the game went final in favor of the hosts.
 
The Trailblazers would outshoot the hornets 21-9, which included a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal. Short made two saves as UT drew 12 fouls and baited Sacramento State's attack into five offside calls while taking seven corner kicks. The back three of Short, Julian Herrera and Angel Saldana played all 90 minutes along with Jimi Villasenor.
 
Utah Tech returns to action next Sunday, Sept. 10, on the road at Lindenwood.