SEATTLE — Utah Valley dropped its opening match of the 2023 WAC season to the No. 23 Seattle U Redhawks, falling 5-2 on the road at Championship Field. 

The Wolverines saw a 2-0 lead slip away late in the first half, as the Redhawks equalized in the final minutes of the opening 45. 

Utah Valley got on the board first in the 12th minute after withstanding a wave of pressure from the Redhawks. Ethan Kovach earned a set piece in the attacking third, which was taken by Alejandro Silva. Silva's cross deflected through the penalty area to Nik Kizerian. Kizerian sent the ball through the six to Floris van Nijnanten, who flicked it off an SU defender into the back of the net.

Utah Valley settled in offensively after gaining the lead, maintaining the majority of the possession for the remainder of the half. The Wolverines doubled their lead in the 32nd minute after Silva unloaded on a long shot from 25 yards out. Redhawk keeper Charlie Lanphier was unable to handle the ball cleanly, and Omar Yehya was able to pounce on the loose ball and tap it in.

SU struck in quick succession before intermission to bring things level. Lennard Fock tapped in a loose ball in the 43rd minute, then Yeider Zuluaga let loose from outside of the penalty area in the 45th. 

The Redhawks pulled away in the second half with a trio of goals in the 55th, 72nd, and 77th minutes.

Trevor Walk had a couple of good looks at goal in the 73rd minute, but his first shot was blocked and his second sailed just over the crossbar. 

Utah Valley will look to regroup on Sunday, as it faces another tough test in the San José State Spartans. The Wolverines will kick things off in San José at 2 p.m. MDT and the match will be streamed live on WAC International.