Utah Tech men's soccer lost 2-1 to California Baptist in its conference opener on Thursday night at Greater Zion Stadium.

The Trailblazers controlled much of the first half with a clear edge on offense, totaling 10 shots to the Lancers' two. That offensive intensity paid off just before halftime when redshirt junior Bryce Backlund broke free on the left side and hit a low cross into the box which junior Oliver Stone buried in the bottom-right side of the net to give Utah Tech a 1-0 advantage in the 41st minute. 

UT would take a 1-0 lead into the locker rooms without junior goalkeeper Stockton Short even facing a shot on goal in the first 45 minutes. 

Just three minutes after the break, sophomore Stavros Charalampous sent a through-ball to freshman Blake D'Agostino who scored inside the box to level the match.

With momentum on its side, California Baptist took the lead on a long shot by sophomore Luis Borrero that just eked in the goal by the left post in the 60th minute.

From there on, Lancer goalkeeper Hugo Do Rego recorded three second-half saves and got help with a team save to keep the Trailblazers from converting during several promising attacks.

UT outshot CBU (2-3-4, 1-0-0 WAC) 19-11, recording an 8-5 advantage on shots on goal as well. The Trailblazers also earned eight corners to California Baptist's one, while fouls were even at nine apiece. 

Utah Tech (1-6-2, 0-1-0 WAC) next hosts San Diego State for a Sunday matinee, kicking off on Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m. at Greater Zion Stadium.