Utah Tech struck for two goals in a 54-second span late in the second half to rally for a 2-1 road result at UC Riverside on Thursday night at the UCR Soccer Stadium.

The Trailblazers (1-1-0/0-0-0 WAC) surrendered an early Highlander goal early in the 10^th-minute, and were limited to only five shots on goal, and 11 total shots through nearly 82 total minutes of action.

However that all changed in an instance when Utah Tech managed to draw a foul deep inside the UCR 18-yard box at the 81:52 mark. Sophomore forward Samir Cuevas was awarded a penalty kick, which he promptly buried into the back of the net to square the match at 1-1.

Utah Tech took advantage of its newfound momentum and quickly regained possession and ultimately earned a corner kick chance. 

Sophomore Manu Monserrat blasted the kick toward the center of the Highlander box, where junior Bryce Backlund managed re-direct the ball past the UCR keeper at the 82:46 mark to stake the Trailblazers to a one-goal advantage.

Utah Tech managed to hold off the Highlanders (0-2-0) the rest of the way en route to its first win of the 2024 season.

The Blazers finished with 13 shots, seven on goal, with Cuevas and fellow sophomore Jason Buezo leading the way with three shots apiece. Junior netminder Stockton Short recorded eight saves to earn his first decision in goal. 

Utah Tech continues SoCal road trip this Sunday night with a non-conference match at Cal State Fullerton. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. (MT), at Titan Stadium.