Orem, UTAH — Owen Knecht scored a brace and Easton Embley added his first collegiate goal to help the Utah Valley men's soccer team snap a four-game losing skid over the Houston Christian Huskies with a 3-0 victory Thursday night at Clyde Field.

"Owen's been incredible for us," said head coach Kyle Beckerman. "He came here in the spring and earned his respect from the guys just on his work rate alone. He's obviously got a nose for goal." 

Landon Carter earned his first start in goal and picked up a clean sheet after stopping both the shots he faced on the night. The Wolverines out-shot the Huskies 13-2 and dominated possession for the majority of the night. HCU came into Thursday as the top scoring team in the WAC with 28 goals scored on the season.

Kendi Bellini set Mark Andros up for a shot on goal in the fifth minute off a cutback, but Andros's shot was sent away by Husky goalkeeper Alex Aitken. Ben Ortiz followed it up with another good look in the eighth minute, but Aitken saved it once again. 

Knecht scored his first of the night in the 20th minute off a set piece in the attacking third. Mark Andros took the free kick short to Alejandro Silva just outside the penalty area. Silva then hit a perfect through ball to Knecht's feet, who tucked it into the right side of the goal. 

Embley subbed on in the 35th minute and nearly got on the score sheet in the 36th when he fired a long-distance rocket straight at Aitken. Ura Miura kept the Husky netminder busy in the 41st minute when he cut down the right flank, but Aitken was able to stop the shot once again. 

Miura nearly pulled off a spectacular volley from about 25 yards out in the 51st minute to catch Aitken off his line, but the keeper was able to make a backpedaling save. 

HCU got its first shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the shot was turned away at the goal line by Embley after Landon Carter had come out of goal to make an attempt at clearing. Embley got on the score sheet just a minute later, sending home a Silva cross with a beautiful scissor kick. 

Knecht secured his brace in the 76th minute. Diego Castillo created space in the midfield with some fancy footwork, allowing him to send the ball into the corner for Ortiz. Ortiz crossed it into the penalty area for Knecht, who vollied the pass into the bottom-right corner for his fourth goal in as many games.

The Wolverines will stay at home for another WAC matchup on Saturday, hosting the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.