Men’s Soccer Takes the Win

Kenzie Jones, Sports Editor, @KenzieScribbler

Utah Valley walks off the field as winners in the match vs. UC Riverside on Friday afternoon. The Wolverine victory (1-0) marks the program’s third in a row and their first win away from Clyde Field.

If there ever was a game to highlight the defiance it was this one. As the first half went under way it very quickly became a defensive battle for both teams the game saw eight combined shots. The only shots on goal recorded went to the Wolverines and after the first 45 minutes of play the score remained 0-0.

In the 49^th minute UVU made their move and got on the board. Alex Neff started the scoring opportunity as he intercepted the ball at midfield and sent it to find Karson Payton. Payton then beat two defenders and left an early ball for Matt Gay, who proceeded to beat one more defender to the ball. Gay then slipped one past the Riverside keeper just inside the post.

The Highlanders tried to battle back as Juan Mendoza Jr. and James Alewine III each tried for the goal. They weren’t able to slip past the Wolverine defense as their attempts went down as the Highlander’s only shots on goal.

The game marked UVU goalkeeper Derek Wilcox’s first career start and his second appearance of the season. He finished the game with two saves as the Wolverines out shot the Highlanders 15-8 and 7-2 on goal. I get the feeling that we’ll be seeing more of him on the field.

UVU will take Saturday off and return to the field on Sunday, September 28 at 11:30a.m. MT. The gentlemen Wolverines will be facing off against No. 4 UC Irvine.