LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Utah Valley University was edged in overtime, 2-1, at UNLV on Sunday at Johann Memorial Field in WAC men's soccer. Shota Takada scored the game-winner for the Rebels in the 93rd minute.
The Wolverines dropped to 12-4-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the WAC while UNLV improved to 10-4-1 and 4-2-1 in conference play. UVU now has 16 points and is in second place in the WAC with two home games remaining. The Rebels now have 13 points, putting them in line for a top two seed and a bye in the conference tournament should they win out.
"Losing in overtime is never easy. I'm gutted for the team, especially knowing we had two or three clear moments in the final minutes to win in regulation," said UVU head coach
Greg Maas. "That said, we'll learn from it, as this match is exactly the level and intensity we can expect at the WAC Tournament."
UNLV took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute on a goal by Andy Rodriguez before
Austin Buxton converted a penalty kick to tie the match at 1-1 in the 18th minute. The goal was Buxton's fifth of the season, tying him for second on the team with
Paul Hoffmeister.
Skyler Milne leads UVU with seven goals.
The score held at 1-1 throughout the remainder of regulation until Takada scored the golden to end the match. The Wolverines nearly took the lead in the final minute of regulation, but Milne's attempt glanced just off the side post.
Utah Valley finished with eight shots, three on goal, while UNLV got off 15 shots with five coming on frame. The Wolverines dropped to 3-2-1 in overtime matches this season.
Utah Valley's regular season title hopes took a hit with the loss. The Wolverines need to defeat Incarnate Word at home on Thursday and need Seattle U to lose or draw its match next Sunday against the same UIW team to stay in the hunt. Utah Valley and Seattle U close out the regular season on Nov. 7 at Clyde Field in Orem. Several possibilities still remain for all six seeds with every eligible team still mathematically alive for a spot in the WAC Tournament in Kansas City.
Thursday's match against Incarnate Word is Utah Valley's only match of the week and will start at 7 p.m. MT.
