Men's Soccer | 9/3/2024 2:00:00 PM

Who | Utah Tech (1-2) at Gonzaga (4-0)
When | Thursday, Sept. 5 – 8 p.m. MT
Where | Luger Field - Spokane, Wash.
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

Who | Utah Tech (1-2) at No. 18 Portland (2-1)
When | Sunday, Sept. 8 – 8 p.m. MT
Where | Merlo Field - Portland, Ore.
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

Trailblazers earn first win of 2024: Utah Tech struck for two goals in a 54-second span late in the second half to rally for a 2-1 win at UC Riverside on Aug. 29.

After surrendering an early Highlander goal early in the 10^th minute, and being limited to only five shots on goal, and 11 total shots through nearly 82 total minutes of action, that quickly changed.

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.

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.

Trailblazers stumble at Fullerton: Utah Tech closed out its California road swing on Sept. 1 falling 6-1 to Cal State Fullerton.

The Trailblazers' lone goal came in the 64th minute when Harrison Shaw sent a pass across the midfield stripe to Elijah Dinkel, who centered the ball to Backlund about 20 yards outside the Titan 18-yard box.

WAC Rankings: Short leads the WAC in saves (20) and is second in saves per game (6.67).

Look back at 2024 Season Opener: The Trailblazers opened the 2024 season on Aug. 22 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 Buezo rocketed a shot at the Roadrunner frame, but again Hart would deny the Trailblazers' bid to crack the scoreboard.

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

About Gonzaga: Utah Tech and Gonzaga have met twice in program history with the Trailblazers winning both contests. UT recorded a 2-1 win at home in 2023 battling back from an early 1-0 deficit for the victory while earning a 1-0 win on the road in Spokane in 2022.

The Bulldogs come into Thursday's contest with a perfect 4-0 record after a pair of home wins over Incarnate Word (2-0) and Houston Christian (2-1) last weekend. Gonzaga opened the season with victories over Northwest (4-1) and St. Thomas (6-1).

The Zags have already surpassed their win total from 2023 where they went 3-9-6 with a 1-6-1 mark in the WCC.

Gonzaga is led in scoring by senior midfielder Chris Swider with a team-leading five goals and 10 points.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Chema Preciado has started all four matches allowing only three goals while making 10 saves.

About No. 18 Portland: The Trailblazers and Pilots have met once in program history falling 6-0 on the road in 2022.

Portland, ranked No. 18 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll released on Tuesday, comes in with a 2-1 record with wins over Washington (2-1) and Multnomah (7-2) while falling to No. 10 UCLA, 2-0.

The Pilots went 12-5 overall in 2023 and finished third in the WCC regular season standings posting a 5-2 record for 15 points.

The Pilots advanced to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Oregon State, 3-0.

Portland has netted nine goals this season with three Pilots recording a team-best two goals apiece.

Senior goalkeeper Kash Oladapo has started a pair of games only allowing three goals and has made eight saves,

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 returns home for its home opener against Lindenwood (0-2-1) on Sept. 13 and host Cal Poly (0-3-1) on Sept. 16.