(Irvine, Calif. - Sept. 21, 2024) - The Trailblazer men's soccer team wrapped up its non-conference slate on Saturday night falling 4-2 at UC Irvine at Anteater Stadium.

Utah Tech (1-5-2) notched a pair of second-half goals getting the first goals of the season from junior midfielder Oliver Stone and senior midfielder/defender Angel Saldana.

UC Irvine (2-4-1) jumped out to a 2-0 lead at halftime with a pair of first-half goals from junior forward Agaton Pourshahidi.

Pourshahidi's first goal came in the 16th minute. That score was followed by a second one in the 32nd minute as Misael Gonzalez found Francesco Montanile, who passed to Pourshahidi on a deflection for the score.

The Anteaters extended their lead to 3-0 with a goal at the 62-minute mark by Isaac Powell before the Trailblazers broke up the shutout with a goal in the 70th minute. Stone scored on a penalty kick after UCI defender Josh Kenworthy was hit with a yellow card.

Less than nine minutes later, with assists from Bryce Backlund and Jerod Allen, Saldana scored on a header in the 79th minute to cut the Anteaters' lead to 3-2.

It took less than two minutes for UCI to add an insurance goal at the 80-minute mark as Pourshahidi secured a hat trick with his third goal of the contest.

UCI led the Trailblazers in shots (27-9) and corner kicks (7-3), but UT was able to edge the Anteaters in saves (10-2).

The Trailblazers are back in action for their WAC opener on Oct. 3 hosting California Baptist (1-3-3) at 7:30 p.m. at Greater Zion Stadium.