OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University won its fourth straight and
Blake Frischknecht scored for the seventh match in a row in a 2-0 win over CSU Bakersfield in Western Athletic Conference soccer on Thursday night at Clyde Field.
The Wolverines (7-3-1, 4-0-0) remained perfect and picked up three more points in the WAC standings. The win also marked the 60th victory in program history, now in its sixth season of competition.
"Tonight was a mature performance. We were composed, creative, and I thought we did an excellent job defensively to limit Bakersfield's chances throughout the match," said UVU head coach
Greg Maas, who also picked up his 60th career win. "The conditions tonight weren't ideal, but I was proud of The Den and our 12th Wolverines who endured the cold to help carry us to another great victory on Clyde Field."
Frischknecht wasted little time extending his goals-scored streak while also notching his WAC-leading eighth goal of the season. Less than 10 minutes in, the senior forward settled a deep
Zach Maas free kick off of his chest and fired a highlight-reel shot into the upper right 90 from just outside the 18. The goal was the third straight game-winning goal from Frischknecht, who also leads the WAC with five game-winners and 16 points. It was also the third assist of the season from Maas.
Luis Vargas gave Utah Valley a 2-0 lead in the 41st minute, finding the ball right in front of the goal mouth for his second goal of the season.
Zahir Vazquez fed
Mark Brown, who gave it right back, and Vazquez took it forward and played it into the six where Vargas scored on a toe poke at the near post. Brown's assist ties him for the WAC lead with four on the season.
Mitch Jensen picked up his third shutout of the year and second during the Wolverines' four-match winning streak. UVU has five shutouts this season including in three of the last four games.
Utah Valley will next host California Baptist on Saturday at 5 p.m. MT. The Lancers won in overtime, 2-1, on Wednesday at Air Force and are 2-1-1 in WAC play. CBU is also unbeaten in its last three matches.
