BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Utah Valley University clinched a berth in the WAC Tournament with a 3-1 win at Bakersfield on Friday night, marking an historic milestone for the first-year program.

The Wolverines (8-6-2, 4-3-2) scored two goals in the game's first 16 minutes and added a second half penalty kick to secure no worse than the No. 5 seed in the tournament, which begins next Thursday in Seattle.

"Bakersfield is a very good side and we needed a complete game tonight -- the effort from start to finish was first-class," said UVU head coach Greg Maas. "I couldn't be more proud of the boys to have earned a spot in the WAC Tournament in our first year as a program. They deserve it."
 
Skyler Milne scored first for Utah Valley on a header off of a free kick from Alex Neff for his third goal of the season. Karson Payton gave UVU a 2-0 lead less than three minutes later, scoring from 15 yards out for his fifth goal of the season and second in as many games.

The Roadrunners (9-7-2, 3-5-1) got one back in the 20^th minute. David Velasquez scored from just inside the 18 on an assist from Christian Duarte and UVU went into the half with the 2-1 advantage.

The scored held there for the next 62 minutes before Lucas Cawley put the match away with the PK and his fourth goal of the season. Cawley's goal came with exactly eight minutes remaining in regulation.

The Wolverines close out the regular season on Sunday at San Jose State. Both teams have clinched spots in the tournament and will be playing for seeding only. The two are currently tied with 14 points in the fourth spot and are potential first round opponents next Thursday.