PHOENIX — Utah Valley University scored a trio of first-half goals but couldn't hold off San José State, falling 4-3 in the WAC Tournament Quarterfinals on Wednesday at GCU Stadium.
 
James Peña, Aaron Nixon and Jojea Kwizera scored the Wolverines' goals. Kwizera also assisted on the first two goals, as did Evans Armah. Nixon and Peña also had assists on Kwizera's goal.
 
Utah Valley finished the season — Coach Kyle Beckerman's first  — at 9-6-2 overall while San José State improved to 10-6-3 and will now meet Grand Canyon in Friday's semifinal. On Wednesday, the Wolverines twice found themselves in front by two goals, but the Spartans responded each time.
 
UVU wasted little time getting into the scoring column, using some stylish team soccer to create three goals in the first 24 minutes of the game. Just over three minutes in, Armah and Kwizera connected on a give-and-go, and Armah hit Peña at the far post for the 1-0 lead.
 
Armah and Kwizera again set things up for the second goal, which was scored by Aaron Nixon. Kwizera was streaking down the left side of the pitch with the ball, left it for Armah, who gave it right back to Kwizera, and he hit Nixon right near the penalty area.
 
San José State was awarded a penalty kick right at the 20-minute mark and Max Allen scored off the crossbar and in to make it a 2-1 game. Just two minutes later, Peña volleyed a ball to Nixon, who volleyed it to a streaking Kwizera and after his first touch he scored with his left foot.
 
Ryota Nakashima scored in the 29th minute for the Spartans and Rudi Castro delivered an impressive direct kick from distance for the equalizer in the 41st minute. After the teams entered the half tied at 3-3, San José State got the game-winner in the 55th minute, with Nakashima assisting on a Willy Miranda goal.
 
The Wolverines outshot the Spartans 18-8 overall and 10-4 on frame. SJSU goalkeeper David Sweeney had seven saves.
 
Kwizera's two assists gave him a WAC-leading 11 on the season, which puts him currently tied for fourth in the country. He finishes his junior season with 21 points to lead the team, which is tied for second in UVU's single season record book. Nixon's goal was No. 8 on the season for the sophomore while Peña collected his fourth in his final collegiate contest.