PHOENIX – Finding themselves down two goals early and in unfamiliar territory, Utah Valley University came back to defeat Grand Canyon, 3-2, to earn three key points in the WAC men's soccer standings.
 
The Antelopes (6-7-0, 2-4-0) had the Wolverines (12-3-1, 5-1-1) buried in a two-goal deficit early. It's the first time UVU has been in that position in its short history, spanning 34 matches.

Utah Valley responded with three goals, all in the first half, and held off any scoring opportunities from GCU to keep pace with No. 19 Seattle U, 3-2 winners over UNLV on Friday night.

"Coming back from a 2-0 deficit on the road was a true test of our character and maturity," UVU head coach Greg Maas said. "To be honest, any win on the road is good, but this result was defining."

Three different players scored for UVU, including Connor Salmon, who had his first career goal. Skyler Milne and Paul Hoffmeister also picked up goals for the Wolverines, with Aaron Meyer assisting on the first two goals. Austin Buxton assisted on the Hoffmeister's game-winner in the 37th minute.

A foul just outside the 18 gave the Antelopes a direct kick in the sixth minute, resulting in a goal from Alberto Sanchez Garcia that bent into the side netting at the far post. Then, a foul inside the box in the 14th minute led to a penalty kick, converted by Niki Jackson for the 2-0 GCU lead.

The Wolverines answered when Salmon scored on a header off on a corner kick from Meyer. Utah Valley scored the equalizer in similar fashion, getting a Milne header in the 28th minute on a corner kick. That goal was Milne's team-leading seventh goal of the year and Meyer's WAC-leading eighth assist. Hoffmeister's game-winner came when he fired a shot from near the top of the 18 to complete UVU's three-goal flurry.

The Wolverines had 17 shots, with 13 of those coming in the first half. Nine of UVU's shots were on frame while Grand Canyon finished with three shots on goal, 15 overall. The loss is the first for the 'Lopes at home this season after going 4-0-0 prior.

UVU now has 16 points, trailing Seattle U's 18 points and now travels to Las Vegas to face third place UNLV on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT.