The Utah Valley Men’s Soccer team hosted former conference rival the Kansas City Roos in its season opener on Thursday Aug. 24 resulting in a 4-0 victory and its first for the season.
The Wolverines got off to a hot start with a quick goal in the ninth minute, which led to three more unanswered goals in the victory.
Throughout the match, Utah Valley controlled most possessions, which helped them keep the momentum crucial in their victory. “We ask our kids to do the basic things at a high level and possession will come with that every time,” head coach Kyle Beckerman said after the match.
The Wolverines ended up outshooting the Roos 20-8 with seven of those being on goal. Omar Yehna was the first to score for the Wolverines in the 9th minute, assisted by Trevor Walk, on a beautiful through pass that split the defense.
Later in the first half, Kansas City almost knotted the game up with a shot by Brice Middleton that was saved by sophomore keeper Landon Carter.
In the 35th minute, sophomore forward Owen Knecht scored off a turnover from the Roos. The Wolverines went into the half with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Just as they did in the first half, the Wolverines got off to a hot start as graduate senior defender Tom Dobek-Pietrowski fired a shot in the back of the net which extended the lead to 3-0.
In the 65th minute, midfielder Omar Yehna assisted senior Ura Miura while keeping the ball inbounds after a corner kick. Miura threaded the needle past the keeper to seal the win. “Kyle always tells us to play the full 90 minutes and finish strong,” Knecht said after the match. “I feel like we played the full 90 and that third goal just killed them.”
The Wolverines now hold a 6-2 record against the Roos and sealed their sixth consecutive home win dating back to last season.
Utah Valley will head to Beckerman’s former stomping grounds at American First Field to host Western Michigan Sunday, Aug. 27 at 1pm MT.
“It will be a really neat experience and atmosphere for them,” Beckerman said about coaching at America First Field. “I am just really excited for the guys to get the experience that I got to.”
The match will air live and can be streamed on ESPN+.
