OREM, Utah -- Utah Valley University men's soccer saw its 2017 campaign come to an end following a 2-1 loss to No. 23 Seattle University on Saturday night at Clyde Field in Orem. The loss eliminated the Wolverines from postseason consideration and a berth in next week's WAC Tournament. 

The difference in Saturday's match came on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute, converted by Sergio Rivas, after the Redhawks (12-3-3, 6-1-3) were awarded a foul in the box. Seattle's first goal came on an attempted clearance by the UVU defense that hit off the face of Gabriel Ruiz and found the goal. 

With the Wolverines (6-10-2, 3-5-2) trailing 1-0, Karson Payton scored tied the game with a goal from just outside the six into the lower left corner. Alec Felix and Connor Salmon assisted on the equalizer that came in the 62nd minute, just four minutes after Seattle took a 1-0 lead. The goal for Payton was his third of the season and 15th of his career, which ranks third all-time in the program's record book. The goal was a fitting cap to his career at Utah Valley, as he scored the program's first-ever goal in 2014 in a 5-1 win over UMass. Four years and 44 victories later, Payton was one of seven Wolverine seniors to play the final match of their collegiate careers on Saturday night. 

"Tonight was about a courageous group of young men that took a chance four years ago to be part of history here at Utah Valley," UVU head coach Greg Maas said. "Their combined accomplishments are nothing short of miraculous, and they will serve as the foundation for our program for many years to come. I couldn't be more proud. Their contributions to our program, university, and community have left an indelible mark that will never be forgotten."

Joining Payton were Chandler Baddley, Joe Barakat, Nic Harguindeguy, Paul Hoffmeister, Connor Salmon and Giovanny Vazquez. Each were honored prior to the match on Senior Night, a celebration of the program's first four-year senior class. Despite the premature end to the season, the seven have been a part of an unforgettable first four years of UVU men's soccer, which includes an average of 11 wins per season, a 2015 NCAA Tournament berth, a 2016 WAC Championship, and extended time in the top 25 during their tenure including during all of the 2016 championship season.