(St. George - Aug. 21, 2025) – Utah Tech men's soccer rallied to a 1-1 draw in its season opener against Gonzaga on Thursday night at Greater Zion Stadium. Despite being down a man for over 60 minutes, the Trailblazers salvaged a tie in their home opener.
With the tie, Utah Tech breaks a three-season streak of losing home openers and season openers.
After an early miss, Gonzaga put the first shot on goal in the ninth minute. GU redshirt junior midfielder Jelle Dan Deijck made senior goalkeeper
Stockton Short make his first save.
Freshman midfielder
Jacob Cinelli fired UT's first shot on frame in the 18th minute as redshirt junior goalkeeper Chema Preciado made the stop. The opportunity came seven minutes after senior midfielder
Jerod Allen misfired on Utah Tech's first shot.
Allen was shown red in the 29th minute for a foul at the top of the box. GU redshirt sophomore midfielder Morgan Olson sent the ensuing free kick too high.
Approaching halftime, Bulldog junior midfielder/forward Ian Silva and sophomore midfielder/forward Geremi Onentia each challenged Short, but the six-foot-three keeper stopped both shots.
Short made the first save of the second half with a dive to his left post in the 59th minute. The Zags missed high on a second-chance opportunity.
Redshirt sophomore defender
Tanner Dutra was called for a handball in the box in the 64th minute. Gonzaga sophomore midfielder Alez Bazia converted the penalty on a strike to the far post.
Dutra redeemed himself two minutes later, heading in the equalizer in the 66th minute. Fifth-year forward
Colby Lee assisted on the goal, sending a free kick directly to Dutra's noggin.
The Zags controlled the majority of possession down the stretch, but managed just one more shot on goal in the 78th minute, which Short stopped with a dive to his left.
Gonzaga outshot UT 22-7, with a 6-2 lead in shots on goal. Both teams logged two corner kicks, and the Trailblazers tallied the only assist.
Utah Tech will face Sacramento State next on Sunday, Aug. 24. Kick off at Hornet Field in Sacramento, California, is set for 2 p.m. (MT), and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
