OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University found itself in an early hole and couldn't climb out, dropping a 3-1 match to No. 9/10 Omaha on Sunday at Clyde Field. The game was the final match of the Wolverine Invitational.
 
The Wolverines (3-3-0) fell behind three-nil before halftime before getting a second-half goal from Connor Salmon. UVU seemed to have a second from Austin Buxton, but his goal was waived off when he was deemed offside.
 
Utah Valley had a decided edge in attempts with 19 shots to four from Omaha. The Wolverines finished with five shots on goal to three from the Mavericks (7-1-0).
 
"Soccer can be cruel. Today's result was indicative of that. Omaha had three chances on goal and buried all three, but aside from those moments our response was absolutely fantastic," said UVU head coach Greg Maas. "Throughout the entire second half, we had persistent pressure. We got a great goal, had one called back and continued to create multiple scoring chances. We're fine and if we continue to play like this, results are certain to fall our way."
 
Omaha (7-1-0) struck quickly, scoring in the game's third minute on a header by Cole Nelson from a Xavier Gomez corner kick. The Mavericks did it again in the 11th minute on another corner kick by Gomez, with Elvir Ibisevic getting his head on the ball for his sixth goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.
 
Emmanuel Hamzat made it 3-0, scoring in the final minute of the first half. A goal kick from Joseph Ghitis made its way all the way to the opposite end of the pitch, where Hamzat beat UVU goalkeeper Elliott Rubio at the top of the 18.
 
Salmon's goal came in the 54th minute, when he fired a shot from 22 yards out, off the left post and in. Gui Leme and Buxton both assisted on the goal, Salmon's first of the season.
 
The Wolverines travel to Seattle this week for a match up at Pac 12 Washington on Thursday night before heading to Spokane for a Sunday afternoon contest at Gonzaga. The trip will put a cap on the non-conference schedule with the WAC opener slated for Friday, September 29 at home against San José State.
 
Sacramento State won the invitational with a 4-3 win over Northern Illinois earlier Sunday. Sac State finished 2-0 while NIU and Omaha were both 1-1.
 
All-Tournament Team
Paul Geyer, Sacramento State (MVP)
Justin Bedig, Sacramento State
Cylus Sandoval, Sacramento State
Brad Bumgarner, Sacramento State
Christian Webb, Sacramento State
Jan Maertins, Northern Illinois
Ethan Pitre, Northern Illinois
Luke Read, Northern Illinois
Seth Rinderknecht, Omaha
Emmanuel Hamzat, Omaha
Cole Nelson, Omaha
Connor Salmon, Utah Valley
Alec Felix, Utah Valley