OREM, Utah — Jose Luis Martin Montealegre and Elijah Gozo scored first half goals to lead Utah Valley (8-1-1, 2-1 WAC) to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the San José State Spartans (8-3-2, 1-2 WAC) on Saturday night at UCCU Stadium.
Tensions were high all night, reaching a boiling point in the 51st minute with Noah Pogue and SJSU keeper Edgar Guerra receiving straight red cards for their role in the fracas.
For the second game in a row, the game was put under a weather delay, this time late in the match at the 81:57 mark. The wind was strong all night, fortunately switching directions at half time so that it was at the Wolverines' back for both halves.
The Spartans got on the board first in the 25th minute when Gilberto Rivera fed Arnold Matshazi on the left side of the box then curled a shot over Sebastian Løvendal into the top-right corner.
Utah Valley equalized in the 28th minute on the third of three consecutive corner kicks. Keegan Oyler lofted a ball to the far post, where it found Martin Montealegre. The Spaniard's looping header went across the face of goal and just inside the near post.
Gozo put the Wolverines in front in the 40th minute off a through ball from Martin Montealegre. Gozo cut down the right flank into the box and ripped a shot past Guerra for his first goal at the collegiate level.
Straight out of the post-weather delay restart, the Wolverines nearly doubled their lead with Oyler's shot hitting the left post. Mason Abdella's follow-up went high.
The Spartans had a few chances in the final minutes, but none of their shots reached the net.
Utah Valley will have a week off before hosting the California Baptist Lancers next Saturday, Oct. 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT, and tickets can be purchased at GoUVU.com/MSOCtix.