OREM, Utah – A brace from
Blake Frischknecht helped Utah Valley University snap a five-game skid with a 2-1 victory over the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Thursday night at Clyde Field. The victory also ended UTRGV's five-match winning streak.
The win improves the Wolverines to 4-5-0 overall and evens their WAC record at 1-1-0 while the Vaqueros drop to 6-3-0 and 1-1-0 while suffering their first loss since Aug. 31.
"I was very pleased with our start tonight, it was purposeful, and scoring early allowed for the boys to stay on the front foot," UVU head coach
Greg Maas said. "UTRGV is a very good side, but our team's defending discipline in key moments showed tremendous individual and collective character. Our focus has already changed to Incarnate Word on Saturday, which is sure to be a great match for our 12th Wolverines on Homecoming."
The first UVU goal came on a penalty kick less than six minutes into the match. Goalkeeper
Joseph Wheelwright played a deep ball forward to
Austin Buxton, who got his head on it and led Frischknecht inside the 18. Frischknecht turned left to separate himself from the defender and was taken down in the box, leading to PK. The conversion ended a scoring drought dating back to Sept. 2 at CSUN.
The Vaqueros tied it in the 20th minute when Kyle Edwards scored on assists from Arthur Rogers and William Akio. Edwards took a touch pass towards the end line and, with a stutter step, angled the ball to the far post and into the side netting.
Frischknecht's second goal -- and team-high fourth of the season -- came after
Carter Johnson dribbled between several UTRGV defenders and drew a foul just yards outside the 18. Frischknecht bent the direct kick inside the far post to give UVU a 2-1 lead in the 30th minute.
UTRGV had a golden opportunity for the equalizer in the 53rd minute when a foul was whistled in the box, resulting a PK opportunity for the Vaqueros. But the kick sailed high, preserving Utah Valley's 2-1 advantage and eventually, the win.
Utah Valley will now host Incarnate Word on Saturday at 7 p.m. MT in the annual UVU Homecoming match. Saturday's festivities include a Homecoming fair from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fulton Library Lawn. Following the match vs UIW, a free surprise concert, sponsored by Pepsi, will take place at UCCU Ballpark.
