OREM, Utah — Utah Valley dropped its first home game of the season, falling to the California Baptist Lancers, 4-1 on Saturday at UCCU Stadium.
A spirited game from start to finish between the WAC's top two teams in the RPI, the Wolverines and Lancers combined for six yellow cards and three red cards, finishing the game playing nine against 10.
CBU got on the board first in the 13th minute when Tizian Marth and Nicholas Coope combined on a one-two feed, with Marth finding the back of the net.
Utah Valley equalized shortly after when Elijah Gozo was fouled in the box. As a Lancer defender was winding up to boot a clearance downfield, Gozo stepped between the man and the ball, taking a boot to the calf. Nil Grau converted the spot kick to bring things to level terms.
The Lancers took the lead for good in the 30th minute when Felix Ezekwuka fought his way through the Wolverine defense and fired a shot into the top-right corner.
Gozo had a chance just after the intermission to equalize, but his shot in the 47th minute went across the face of goal untouched.
The Lancers doubled their lead in the 50th minute with Stavros Charalampous scoring.
The first red of the night was dished out to Jaret Rocha in the 57th minute following a tangle near the corner flag.
A VAR review took place in the 66th minute for a possible penalty for the Wolverines, but nothing came from it.
Another scuffle in the 71st minute resulted in Gilles Aurelien and CBU's Adolfo Pino being sent off.
Marth secured his brace in the 83rd minute to put the game on ice.
Utah Valley will travel to Las Vegas for its next game on Thursday to face the UNLV Rebels. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MDT, and the game will be streamed live on WAC International.