OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University improved to 5-0 all-time on opening day with a decisive 4-0 shutout of Evansville on Friday night. The win came in front of 4,204 fans, the second-largest crowd in Clyde Field history.
 
The win was marred by the loss of senior captain Aaron Caprio, who suffered a severe leg injury in the first half of the match after going after a loose ball and colliding with an Evansville player.
 
"I couldn't be prouder of this team's performance and their execution of our game plan throughout the entire match," UVU head coach Greg Maas said. "Sadly, we lost our leader and team captain to a horrific injury, but this team's resiliency and commitment to one another was the difference. Our thoughts and prayers are now with Aaron Caprio."

Holding a 1-0 lead at the half, the Wolverines (1-0-0) scored three times in the second half. Austin Buxton picked up a brace with two second-half goals, Blake Frischknecht finished with a goal and an assist and Zach Maas notched his first career goal – a game-winner – in the 10th minute.
 
"Tonight's environment was nothing short of remarkable. Over four thousand 12th Wolverines in The Den create so much energy and passion, it is truly something special to be part of. The team can't wait to return to Clyde Field on Monday against Florida Atlantic."
 
Maas' goal game at the 9:26 mark of the first half, when he put back a shot by Frischknecht that was saved by an Evansville defender. Luis Garza spurred the second goal when he stole the ball at midfield, took it up the left side and patiently found Frischknecht, who directed it into the right-side netting for a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
 
The Wolverines put the match away in the 80th minute when Zahir Vazquez was fouled inside the box, resulting in converted penalty kick by Buxton. Three minutes later, Vazquez intercepted a ball just past midfield and found Buxton, who settled the pass and rocketed a shot past the keeper for the fourth goal. 
 
Goalkeeper Joseph Wheelwright earned the shutout, picking up three saves in the process. The Wolverines had 14 shots and were on goal with eight of them. Evansville finished with eight shots, three on frame.

The four-goal output is the team's highest since a 4-2 victory over the same Evansville program early in the 2016 season. It's also the highest-scoring game in an opener for UVU since a 5-1 win over UMass in the program's inaugural match in 2014. 
 
The Wolverines will next host Florida Atlantic on Monday at 7 p.m. MT. FAU fell 3-0 to UNLV earlier on Friday at Clyde Field. UNLV and Evansville will also go head-to-head on Sunday at 11 a.m. MT.