Milne’s clutch goal leads Wolverines over Spartans
Brad Curnow | Sports Writer | @jojocornrow
OREM, Utah – The Utah Valley University men’s soccer rode the programs first every hat trick by Skyler Milne to a 3-2 victory over San Diego State University on Friday night at Clyde Field.
After the Spartans fought their way back into the match with two second half goals, Skyler Milne put the Wolverines ahead for good in the final 2:36 when he recorded the hat trick by putting a penalty kick into the upper, right corner of the goal.
SJSU came out aggressive managed an early attack on goal, but the UVU defense was sharp and sent the attack back without any major threat. UVU would settle in and begin their own attack on the SJSU goal. In the 13th minute, Skyler Milne received a pass from Paul Hoffmeister in the middle of the box then beat the keeper to put UVU up 1-0. Just six minutes later, SJSU goalkeeper Emmanuel Espinoza blocked Karson Payton’s shot, but Milne was there to clean up the rebound and put it in the back of the net.
Austin Buxton’s attempt to put the match out of reach in the 27th minute was called back after Donnett Sackie was assessed a yellow card for kicking SJSU keeper Espinoza in the face on an attempt at a breakaway goal. Espinoza would leave the match.
The Spartans refused to go away in the second half by putting their first goal on the board in the 58th minute. Alex Neff sustained an injury on the play and was carted off the field.
The UVU defense looked deflated after Neff’s injury and allowed a second goal in the 74th minute.
“This team has been very resilient,” Coach Greg Maas said. “We pride ourselves on continuing to fight.”
The Woverines fought back and in the 88th minute Milne raced to the end line and drew a foul on Spartan goalkeeper Felix Petermann. Milne completed his hat trick on the ensuing penalty kick and put UVU ahead for the closing minutes.
“Honestly, it’s a team reward,” Milne said about the hat trick. “It means a lot to me, but it should mean a lot to the whole program, to the team, without them it would never have been possible.”
UVU improved to 11-3-0 on the season and 4-1-0 in WAC play. The Wolverines travel to California to take on the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on Sunday at 2 pm MT. The match will be broadcast live on the WAC Digital Network.
