Who | Utah Tech (1-6-2, 0-1-0 WAC) vs. San Diego State (4-4-2, 1-0-0 WAC)
When | Sunday, Oct. 6 - 1:30 p.m.
Where | Greater Zion Stadium - St. George, Utah
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

LAST TIME OUT
Utah Tech men's soccer lost 2-1 to California Baptist in its conference opener on Thursday. 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. 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. 

SCOUTING SAN DIEGO STATE
The Aztecs visit St. George after picking up three points in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a 1-0 win over UNLV on Thursday night. Junior Austin Brummett scored the lone goal of the night in the 73rd minute to collect his Aztec-leading fifth goal of the season. Brummet is tied for second in the WAC in goals (5), tied for fourth in points (10) and third in shots (25).

San Diego State leads the WAC in fouls (156) and corner kicks (57). SDSU has the second-most offsides in the conference (25) and fourth-most yellow cards (27). 

Senior Terence Okoeguale is another Aztec to watch as he is tied for sixth in the WAC in points (9) and is tied for fourth in total assists (3) while scoring three goals on the season, including a three-point performance when Okoeguale scored and assisted against UC Davis. 

SERIES HISTORY
Sunday's match will be the second-ever contest between UT and SDSU and the first in St. George. In the programs' first meeting in 2023, the then No. 21 Aztecs won 3-0 in a non-conference match in San Diego, California. San Diego State rejoined the WAC this season with Sunday's match being the second WAC game the Aztecs have played since 1998. Before this season, San Diego State was an affiliate member of the Pac-12. 

THEY CALL HIM 'STOP'-TON
Junior goalkeeper Stockton Short is second in the nation in saves per game (6.11) this season, helping the Trailblazers lead the country in saves per game (6.75). Short is also second in the nation in total saves (55), tied for 48th in goalie minutes played (810) and 75th in save percentage (.746).

ASSIST ADEPT
Redshirt junior Bryce Backlund is tied for the WAC lead in assists (4) and is tied for 36th in the nation. Backlund also leads UT 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.

BALANCED OFFENSE
Utah Tech has eight different goal-scorers, with 11 total Trailblazers earning at least one point this season. Sophomore Jason Buezo, senior Damian Arguello and sophomore Austin Wallace have all notched at least 10 shots and four shots on goal this season. The Trailblazers are also a perfect 100% on penalty kick opportunities, which is tied for first in the nation, as sophomore Samir Cuevas and junior Oliver Stone scored from the penalty mark against UC Riverside and UC Irvine, respectively.

STAY CAUTIOUS
Entering the week, Utah Tech is 15th in the nation in yellow cards (26), coming in at second in the WAC behind San José State (28). Senior Damian Arguello has found himself on officials' minds as he has racked up five cautions which is tied for first in the nation. Redshirt junior Ethan Bell, sophomore Manu Montserrat and sophomore Austin Wallace are tied for 81st in the nation with three yellow cards apiece. Against California Baptist, four Trailblazers were cautioned. 

CHASING HISTORY
Among Utah Tech's career records, junior Stockton Short is third in saves (136), third in minutes played (2,835), fourth in wins (10), fifth in shutouts (4) and sixth in goals against average (1.62).

WHAT'S NEXT
Utah Tech will visit the Bay Area for a conference match at San José State on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. (MT).