OREM, Utah — Freshmen Sharif Sayawu and Lewis Knecht each scored first-half goals and the Wolverine defense kept its third-straight clean sheet to lead Utah Valley (3-0) to a 2-0 win over the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (1-1) at UCCU Stadium on Thursday night.
With the shutout win, Utah Valley secured its best start defensively in program history, holding the opposition without a goal through three games for the first time ever. The Wolverines are also 3-0 for the first time since 2018 and the fourth time in program history.
Keegan Oyler pitched in his fourth assist of the season on Sayawu's opener. Oyler's four assists are the most through three games in program history and are tied for most in the nation.
Utah Valley's defense put on another suffocating display, holding FGCU to just two shots on goal all night, and none over the final 43 minutes. The back line especially shined in the second half, blocking six Eagle shots over the final 38 minutes.
FGCU had the first scoring opportunity in the 12th minute following a scramble in the box as the ball popped out to the top of the 18, but the ensuing shot went right at Kolby Sessions.
Moments after trying an ambitious bicycle kick that went right at the keeper, Sayawu officially opened his UVU account in the 26th minute with a header goal on a cross sent in by Keegan Oyler. After Isaac Emojong won a 50/50 ball, the midfielder chipped it forward for Oyler, who lofted a cross with his first touch that found Sayawu on the left side of the six and was headed home just inside the post.
Utah Valley doubled the lead in the 41st minute after the high Wolverine press created another opportunity. Dan McKay won the ball at the top of the box with a sliding challenge to set up Knecht, who created space with a few dribbles and unleashed a rocket of a left-footed shot from 20 yards out into the top-right corner.
The Eagles had their best scoring chance in the 47th minute on a corner kick, as Victor Lopes' header was tipped over the crossbar by Sessions.
The Wolverines had three shots on goal in the 69th, 77th, and 79th minutes, but Emojong and Jordan Mangatal's efforts were dealt with easily by FGCU.
Knecht had one last opportunity in the 90th minute with a run down the left wing through the Eagle defense, but his shot from a sharp angle went just wide right.
Utah Valley hits the road for the first time this season this Sunday, heading to Omaha, Neb., to face the Omaha Mavericks. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. MDT, and the game will be streamed live on the Summit League Network.
