WOLVERINES FACE ROAD TESTS AT UTRGV/UIW
Utah Valley heads to the Lone Star State for two road contests in Western Athletic Conference play this week. The Wolverines (4-3-1) are at UT Rio Grande Valley on Friday at 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT, and at Incarnate Word on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. CT/1 p.m. MT.

UTRGV entered TopDrawerSoccer.com's rankings at No. 24 this week and is also receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll. 

"The first road tests for any program in WAC play are always important. Both UTRGV and UIW are difficult opponents and each present challenging environments in Texas to play in," UVU head coach Greg Maas said. "The team is coming off a solid result in our conference opener, but our preparation quickly changed focus, and we can't wait to get back on the pitch."

UVU notched a 3-0 win over Houston Baptist in last Saturday's WAC opener, getting goals from three different players and a seven-save shutout from Mitch Jensen, who was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Week for the third time in his career. 

Luis Vargas scored on a penalty kick for the game-winner in the first half. Zahir Vazquez added a highlight-reel goal moments before the end of the half, scoring from outside the 18 when he bent the ball over the head of the keeper and in. Blake Frischknecht made it three-nil, scoring for the fourth straight game, on a header when Zach Maas found him from 40 yards out. Frischknecht's five goals are tied for the WAC lead with two other players. 

UP NEXT
The Wolverines return to Clyde Field next week and will host CSU Bakersfield on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and California Baptist on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. MT.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
UT Rio Grande Valley opened the conference schedule with a 2-0 road win at UNLV on Saturday. The Vaqueros (5-1-0, 1-0-0) have won three straight matches with their only loss coming in overtime at No. 11 Central Florida on Sept. 8. Kyle Edwards, the WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and William Akio each have three goals to lead UTRGV. Edwards was also named to the Mac Hermann Trophy watch list prior to the season. UVU is 3-1-0 all-time against UTRGV including a 1-1-0 record on the road in Edinburg, Texas. The Wolverines defeated the Vaqueros, 2-1, last year in Orem. 

Incarnate Word dropped a 1-0 contest at Grand Canyon in its WAC opener last week. The Cardinals and Lopes were scoreless until the 79th minute. UIW has lost three straight entering the week and hosts Air Force on Friday night. UVU is 2-1-2 all-time against the Cardinals and has gone 0-1-1 in two road contests in San Antonio. Last season the Wolverines defeated UIW 3-0 in Orem.