LAS VEGAS— Alex Fritcher scored his first D-I goal and the Utah Valley men's soccer team held an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal, but seven saves by Hugo Lemos kept the Wolverines off the board any further as Utah Valley and the UNLV Rebels played to a 1-1 draw at Peter Johann Memorial Stadium in Las Vegas. 

The Wolverines (2-6-5, 1-2-2 WAC) were without captain Alejandro Silva, who was serving a one-game suspension due to yellow card accumulation. Utah Valley showed considerable poise without their skipper as many players stepped up in his absence. 

The Wolverines opened the scoring in the third minute after Trevor Walk earned a set piece just outside the penalty area. Nik Kizerian took the free kick and found the head of Fritcher at the far post. Fritcher's goal — just 2:54 into the game — was the earliest UVU goal since James Peña scored at the 3:13 mark versus San Jose State in 2021. 

For the next twenty minutes, Utah Valley maintained possession almost exclusively, with Kizerian forcing a save out of the Rebel keeper with an effort from just outside the penalty area. 

UNLV equalized in the 29th minute off of a set piece of their own. The Wolverines cleared the initial cross, but a rocket fired by Mikah Madrid from the top of the penalty area sailed into the top-right corner of the net.

In the 41st minute, the Wolverines had another opportunity on a set piece from about 40 yards out. Kizerian lifted a cross that found Tom Dobek-Pietrowski, but his header sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. 

Utah Valley had plenty of chances to equalize early in the second half, especially in the 49th minute when two shots by Ura Miura and Walk that were both saved by Rebel keeper Hugo Lemos. Miura and Owen Knecht each had good looks at goal later in the half cutting in down the left flank, but their shots were saved at the near post. 

Omar Yehya came on late as a substitute and had a great look at goal in the 89th minute, but his shot was blocked near the goal line. 

The Wolverines return home for their final three games of the regular season, starting on Saturday against the UTRGV Vaqueros. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. MDT and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.