OREM, Utah – CSUN struck with two early goals and then held on over the final minutes to upset No. 14 Utah Valley University, 2-1, on Friday night at Clyde Field.
The Matadors (2-1-0) got goals in the 13th minute from Daniel Trejo and less than four minutes later from Jordan Kinoshi, for what turned out to be the game-winner.
Nic Harguindeguy scored for the Wolverines (1-1-0) in the 34th minute.
"We knew today was going to be a very difficult match. (CSUN) is a very big, physical side, but today was really on us," said UVU head coach
Greg Maas. "We needed to be more disciplined. Our soccer needed to be better. We panicked and it got us out of our style and our rhythm. With 20 minutes left in the game -- plenty of time to find an equalizer -- we went away from a possession game and became very direct. That's not how we train and that showed in our lack of execution in those moments."
The game's first goal came when CSUN's Michael Flores led a streaking Trejo, who played it into the box and scored from 10 yards out to the far post into the lower right corner. Emmanuel Usen Jr. also assisted on the goal.
In the 17th minute, a Wolverine foul near the top of the box resulted in a direct kick from Kinoshi, who delivered it into the upper left corner. Harguindeguy's goal came in a similar fashion to Kinoshi's, on a direct kick from 21 yards away and into the upper right 90.
The Wolverines tried to muster the equalizer in the waning moments but could not avoid the upset. UVU out-shot CSUN, 12-4, with the Wolverines putting six on frame compared to four on goal from the Matadors.
Utah Valley hits the road next week with a two-game trip to Southern California. UVU will face Cal State Fullerton next Friday, Sept. 8 and San Diego State on Sunday, Sept. 10.
GAME NOTES: The win for CSUN evens the all-time series at one win apiece ... the match is the first of three games for the Wolverines against Big West Conference schools. Cal State Fullerton and Sacramento State are the remaining two ... Friday's game saw a total of five yellow cards, four called on the visiting Matadors ... the Wolverines entered this week's action ranked No. 14 by TopDrawerSoccer.com and Soccer America, and No. 18 by the United Soccer Coaches and College Soccer News.
