Wolverines win 1-0 in a defensive battle
Brad Curnow | Sports Writer | @jojocornrow
SPOKANE, Wash.- Utah Valley University prevailed 1-0 in a defensive struggle against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Luger Field Friday afternoon. Aaron Meyer scored the lone goal of the match with 33:29 to play in the first half on a direct kick from the top of the box. The Wolverines played tenacious defense through the entire second half to keep an aggressive Bulldogs attack from equalizing.
UVU came out on defensive in the first half, but settled down around 10 minutes into the match. Meyer capitalized on a Gonzaga foul in the 12’ to break the 0-0 tie on the ensuing free kick. The offense took control and dominated the rest of the way outshooting Gonzaga 4-2 after the goal.
The attack of the second half, however, belonged to Gonzaga. The Bulldogs outshot the Wolverines 9-8 in the final 45 minutes of play. Gonzaga came with a heavy attack in the final 15 minutes of play with several shots on goal, including one by Jakob Granlund rolling wide left of the goal and Christo Michaelson just missing on an attempt for a sliding put-in.
With just over 10 remaining, tempers flared in the Gonzaga goal box after Skyler Milne collided with Bulldogs goalkeeper Chris Lowrimore. Milne was assessed a yellow card for the incident. Three other warnings were given in the physical match with one going to Nic Harguindeguy and two Bulldogs accruing yellow cards themselves.
Utah Valley goalkeeper Collin Partee kept active with Gonzaga attacking the goal head-on for the final 30 minutes of play. True to form, Partee was able to come through with several critical saves in the closing minutes to keep the Bulldogs scoreless and seal the 1-0 win.
UVU is now 2-0 against Gonzaga having won their contest last season in Orem. The Wolverines improved to 6-1-0 on the season and travel to Denver to face the 15th-ranked Pioneers of Denver University. The Wolverines will wrap up non-conference play against Cal State Fullerton next Thursday at Clyde Field.
