Game #16
Who | Utah Tech (3-8-4, 2-3-2 WAC) at Utah Valley (6-5-4, 1-3-2 WAC)
When | Monday, Oct. 28 - 6 p.m.
Where | Clyde Field - Orem, Utah
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

LAST TIME OUT
Through constant strong wind, Utah Tech men's soccer scored three unanswered goals to erase a 2-0 deficit and defeat Air Force 3-2 at Cadet Soccer Stadium on Thursday night. The Falcons took an early lead in the seventh minute when senior Nick Bisagno sent a through ball into the left side of the box and senior Ben Wunsch buried a shot into the bottom right side of the net. Air Force extended its lead to 2-0 in the 11th minute. Falcon senior Carter Rizzo snuck a shot into the left side of the net from a tough angle close to the right post after Bisagno crossed the ball into the box. The Trailblazers bounced back with their first goal in the 16th minute. From a throw-in, sophomore Austin Wallace dribbled down the right side into the box and passed to redshirt junior Ethan Bell who struck the ball with his left foot and through the legs of an Air Force defender into the left side of the goal. It was Bell's first career goal. Less than five minutes later, sophomore Samir Cuevas tied the match from the penalty spot, converting his second penalty kick of the season in the 21st minute. UT drew the PK when Cuevas was pushed to the ground inside the box. Sophomore Jason Buezo gave Utah Tech the lead just after halftime. On a pass from junior Daichi Saito, Buezo stormed into the box and blasted a shot past Smith into the top right corner of the net in the 50th minute. The goal was UT's third unanswered and Buezo's first career goal. UT goalkeeper Stockton Short totaled six saves. Air Force outshot UT 17-11 with an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal. Utah Tech committed more fouls, 12-9, and earned more saves, 6-3.

SCOUTING UTAH VALLEY
The Wolverines host Utah Tech after a scoreless draw with UNLV at home on Thursday. UVU is 1-3-2 in WAC play with its lone win over Air Force (2-0). Utah Valley tied with UTRGV for its other point. During their non-conference slate, the Wolverines picked up wins over Sacramento State, UC San Diego, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast and Lindenwood.

Offensively, UVU is led by redshirt senior Omar Yehya who leads the WAC in goals (11), points (24) and shots (45). Among the nation, Yehya is tied for 11th in total goals, tied for eighth in total points and 33rd in shots per game. Junior Gilles Aurelien is tied for second in the conference in assists (5), leading Utah Valley and tying for 59th nationally. Goalkeeper Ben Williams leads the WAC in goalie minutes played (1,350), tied for fifth in the country. 

The Wolverines are second in the WAC in goal differential (4), scoring offense (1.47), team goals against average (1.200), total goals (22) and total points (64).

SERIES HISTORY
Monday's match will be the fourth-ever meeting between UT and UVU. The Wolverines hold a 2-1-0 lead, but the Trailblazers won last year's contest 2-1 in St. George. In Orem, Utah Valley leads 1-0-0 with a 1-0 win in 2022.

UT BY THE NUMBERS
Nationally, Utah Tech ranks second in saves per game (6.53), tied for fifth in yellow cards (43), tied for 10th in red cards (3), 22nd in save percentage (.797), 80th in fouls per game (10.93) and 99th in shot accuracy (.424). Utah Tech leads the WAC in saves per game (6.53) and yellow cards (43) and is second in the conference in fouls per game (10.93) and red cards (3). 

THEY CALL HIM 'STOP'-TON
Junior goalkeeper Stockton Short leads the nation in total saves (94) and comes in at second in saves per game (6.27) behind Jamie Barry of Niagra (7.00). Short is also tied for fifth in goalie minutes played (1,350) and 30th in save percentage (.790).

Short was named WAC Men's Soccer Goalkeeper of the Week on Oct. 14 after combining for 16 saves, a shutout and allowing one goal off a penalty kick in games at San José State and Seattle U.

Short earned his first career assist on a goal kick, helping set up the game-winning goal against Grand Canyon.

BALANCED OFFENSE
Utah Tech has 11 different goal-scorers, 15 point-earners and have had 17 Trailblazers put at least one shot on goal this season. Seven Trailblazers have at least four shots on goal this season with redshirt junior Ethan Bell leading the way with 10.

ASSIST ADEPT
Redshirt junior Bryce Backlund is tied for fifth in the WAC and 110th in the nation in total assists (4). Backlund is also tied for the UT lead in points with six from one goal scored against UC Riverside and assists dished out against CSU Fullerton, then-No. 18 Portland, UC Irvine and California Baptist.

STAY CAUTIOUS
Utah Tech is tied for fifth in the nation in yellow cards (43), leading the WAC. Redshirt sophomore Harrison Shaw leads the Trailblazers with six yellows, tied for fourth-most in the nation, while senior Damian Arguello and sophomore Manu Monserrat tie for 23rd in the nation with five cautions apiece. 

CHASING HISTORY
Among Utah Tech's career records, junior Stockton Short is third in saves (175), third in minutes played (3,375), fourth in wins (12), fourth in shutouts (6) and fourth in goals against average (1.49). On the single-season lists, Short is third in saves (94), ninth in minutes played (1,350), tied for 10th in shutouts (2) and tied for 10th in goals against average (1.67).

WHAT'S NEXT
Utah Tech will wrap up the regular season by hosting UNLV on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1:30 p.m. at Greater Zion Stadium. The Trailblazers will honor their graduating seniors with senior day festivities before the match.