Men's Soccer | 8/27/2024 10:30:00 AM

Who | Utah Tech (0-1) at UC Riverside (0-1)
When | Thursday, Aug. 29 – 9:30 p.m. MT
Where | UCR Soccer Stadium - Riverside, Calif.
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

Who | Utah Tech (0-1) at Cal State Fullerton (0-2)
When | Sunday, Sept. 1 – 6 p.m. MT
Where | Titan Stadium - Fullerton, Calif.
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

Look back at 2024 Season Opener: The Trailblazers opened the 2024 season last week at CSU Bakersfield falling to the Roadrunners, 1-0.

Utah Tech registered two shots on frame in the opening 45 minutes, with Damian Arguello having a great look for the first goal of the match turned away by CSUB netminder Zenden Hart just 10 minutes into play.

The Trailblazers had another chance just before halftime when Jason Buezo rocketed a shot at the Roadrunner frame, but again Hart would deny the Trailblazers' bid to crack the scoreboard.

Buezo and Bryce Backlund each attempted two shots to lead Utah Tech, which finished with seven attempts on the night. Junior keeper Stockton Short registered five saves in a losing effort in goal.

About UC Riverside: Utah Tech and UC Riverside have met once in program history with the lone meeting coming in the 2021 season in Riverside with the Trailblazers falling 3-2.

The Highlanders come into Thursday's contest with a 0-1 record opening up the season last week at San Diego State falling to the Aztecs, 5-2.

UCR posted a 3-9-5 overall record in 2023 and tied for fifth in the Big West with Cal Poly tallying 12 points (3-3-3).

The Highlanders were selected seventh in the Big West preseason coaches' poll and senior Noah Lopez returns as UCR's leading scorer with eight points (3 goals, 2 assists).

About Cal State Fullerton: The Trailblazers face Fullerton for the first time in program history on Sunday.

The Titans, who were picked second in the Big West preseason coaches' poll, are off to an 0-2 start to the season falling at No. 8 Marshall, 3-0 and Xavier, 4-1 on the road last week. Fullerton heads to No. 13 Stanford on Thursday night.

The Titans went 12-5-3 overall in 2023 and won the Big West regular season with a 6-2-1 mark before falling to UC Davis in the Big West Tournament.

Fullerton tied for a league-high three preseason All-Big West selections with seniors forwards Sulaiman Bah & Roberto Ordonez and senior midfielder Erick Serrano.

New and Familiar Faces: The Trailblazers welcome 12 newcomers while bringing back 19 returners.

Eight true freshmen along with four transfers (Manu Monserrat, Sawyer Heaton, Daichi Saito and Cole Bradley) highlight the newcomers while the returners are led by Austin Wallace, Samir Cuevas and Bryce Backlund.

Exhibition Play: Utah Tech went undefeated in their three home exhibition matches defeating Mohave Community College, 7-0, tied Salt Lake Community College, 0-0 and closed out the preseason with a 4-0 win over Colorado Mesa.

Road Warriors: The Trailblazers will play their first five contests on the road before their home opener against Lindenwood on Sept. 13.

Scoring Machine: Sophomore Austin Wallace returns to the lineup after leading the Trailblazers with five goals and 10 points in 2023.

Up Next: Utah Tech closes out its season-opening road swing at Gonzaga (2-0) on Sept. 5 and No. 22 Portland (1-0) on Sept. 8.