(La Jolla, Calif. – Sept. 23, 2023) Utah Tech men's soccer played Saturday night, using a late goal to claim a 2-1 victory over the Tritons of UC San Diego. Saturday's result improves Utah Tech's record to an even 4-4 with WAC competition commencing next Sunday.
 
Jerod Allen made his return to the starting lineup as the hosts would break the game wide open with an early goal, scoring just 12 minutes into the contest. The Trailblazers looked close to leveling the game quickly, but Austin Wallace's 14^th minute shot was saved.

Both teams would combine for 15 first half shots but UC San Diego held the one goal advantage at the halftime break.
 
Shots by Bryce Backlund and Abigay Gomez put pressure on the Triton defense early in the second half but it would be the freshman from Valera, Venezuela who put Utah Tech right back in the game in the 61^st minute. Coming unassisted, Sami Cuevas finished low and to the goalkeeper's right to level the game at one apiece, and the goal was also Cuevas' first at the collegiate level.
 
With the game level at 1-1, Utah Tech ramped up the pressure. Stockton Short would make two big saves in the 62^nd and 63^rd minute before the Trailblazer defense stepped up in a big way, holding the Tritons to just one shot in the game's final 27 minutes.
 
That defensive effort proved to be fruitful, as Jimi Villasenor made no mistake with his 87^th minute finish to score his second goal of the season. A redshirt junior from Las Vegas, Nev., both of Villasenor's goals this season have been game-winners as Utah Tech would see out the final three minutes to secure a 2-1 road victory.
 
Damian Arguello led the team in shots with four as UT would out-shoot UC San Diego 18-12; both teams put five shots on goal. The Trailblazers took four corners to the Tritons' two while Utah Tech drew 12 fouls in the process, and Short finished with four saves.
 
Short, along with the center back pairing of Julian Herrera and Angel Saldana, played the full 90 minutes.
 
After finishing with four victories last season, Utah Tech is up to four victories at the midway point in the season, with conference play slated to begin next weekend. The action gets underway with a single road game at UTRGV next Sunday; kickoff in Edinburg, Texas, is scheduled for 11 a.m. MT.