UVU HITS ROAD FOR FIRST TIME
After racking up eight goals in a pair of four-nil shutouts to begin the 2018 season, the Utah Valley University men's soccer team heads to Southern California to face a pair of Big West Conference foes. The Wolverines (2-0-0) play at UC Irvine on Friday night at 7 p.m. PT/8 p.m. MT and at CSUN on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT.
"We're coming off of a solid opening weekend at home, but it takes a completely different mindset and discipline to garner results on the road," UVU head coach Greg Maas said. "Both UC Irvine and CSUN are top-level opponents, and it's important we carry forward the experience and momentum we've gained in the early season into these important non-conference matches."
LAST TIME OUT
The Wolverines opened the 2018 campaign last Friday against Evansville and secured their first 4-0 decision in front of 4,204 fans, the second-largest crowd in Clyde Field history. Zach Maas scored the game-winning goal in the 10th minute of play before three second-half goals helped Utah Valley pull away. Blake Frischknecht scored the first of the three before Austin Buxton added a brace, which included a penalty kick.
UVU duplicated Friday's final result on Monday against Florida Atlantic, scoring all four goals in the first half. Maas scored less than six minutes in to earn his second game-winner in as many matches to start the season. Frischknecht, Luis Vargas and Alec Felix also added goals as the Wolverines equaled the school record for goals in a half. Defensively, Utah Valley didn't allow the Owls a single shot on goal while putting 10 of their 11 shots on frame.
SERIES HISTORY
Utah Valley and UC Irvine met once prior, during the Wolverines' inaugural season in 2014. The teams played a neutral-site match at UNLV in Las Vegas, with the then-No. 4 Anteaters getting a golden goal in the second overtime to thwart UVU's upset attempt.
Sunday will mark the first time UVU and CSUN will meet in Northridge. The two prior meetings have both been at Clyde Field in Orem. The series is tied 1-1-0 with Utah Valley winning the first meeting in 2016, 1-0, and the Matadors earning 2-1 result last season in Orem. CSUN scored two first-half goals and held on for the win last Sept. 1.
ABOUT UC IRVINE
UC Irvine is 1-0-1 after the first weekend of action, with a scoreless draw at San Diego and a 1-0 win in overtime at UCF in Orlando. Friday's contest is the Anteaters' home opener. UC Irvine is coming off of an 8-8-3 year and returns senior Ivan Canales, who was second on the team with eight goals as a junior.
ABOUT CSUN
CSUN, who will host New Mexico on Friday night, is 1-1-0 following a 3-2 loss at San Francisco and a 1-0 win over WAC school San José State. The Matadors return Daniel Trejo, their top returning goal scorer after finishing with seven goals in 2017. CSUN finished 10-9-2 last year and qualified for the Big West Tournament.
UP NEXT
The Wolverines travel to Omaha for two contests next weekend. UVU plays at Omaha on Friday, Sept. 7 before a neutral-site contest, played at Creighton, against Memphis on Sunday, Sept 9.
