OREM, Utah – Giovanny Vazquez converted a header in the 54th minute as No. 16 Utah Valley knocked off 13th-ranked Akron, 1-0, on Friday night at Clyde Field in front of a record crowd of 4,351 fans.
 
It's the second straight season-opening win over a nationally ranked foe for the Wolverines (1-0-0), who defeated then-No. 20 Washington to open the 2016 season. The victory also moves UVU to 4-0-0 all-time in season openers.

"This is about Utah Valley and about this environment," said UVU head coach Greg Maas. "It was up to us to get out and enjoy the opportunity to play a tremendous side like Akron and we got the goal and dug in deep. Today's result was something special."
 
Connor Salmon's corner kick to the far post found the Vazquez, whose header from just outside the goal box beat Zips (0-1-0) keeper Ben Lundt to his right. It was the first career goal for Vazquez, the preseason All-WAC defender.
 
"Gio brings an incredible amount of leadership and experience. He was phenomenal as was our entire back line and Elliott Rubio in goal," Maas said.
 
Rubio notched a big save against his former club in the 67th minute, on a diving stop to his left on an attempt from Marcel Zajac. The clean sheet was the fifth of his career at UVU.
 
The Wolverines finished with six shots, three on goal, while the Zips totaled eight shots, with just one on goal.
 
Utah Valley returns to the pitch next Friday, Sept. 1 against Big West Tournament champion CSUN. Kick is set for 7 p.m. from Clyde Field.

NOTES: Utah Valley's No. 16 ranking comes from TopDrawerSoccer.com while Soccer America ranked the Wolverines 20th. Akron is ranked 13th by TopDrawerSoccer.com, 16th by the United Soccer Coaches and 13th by Soccer America ... the record crowd eclipsed the previous mark of 3,456 fans in the 2015 home opener, a 4-1 win over Bradley ... UVU improved to 4-4-2 against ranked opponents ... the Wolverines played without MAC Herman Trophy Watch List and preseason All-American Paul Hoffmeister, who was out due to injury.