OREM, Utah — Three different Wolverines found the back of the net to lead No. 18 Utah Valley (5-0) to a 3-0 win over the Sacramento State Hornets (0-4-1), tying the program record for the best start to a season. 

Toke Amtrup and Noah Pogue each scored their second goals of the season, while Dan McKay opened his UVU and collegiate account with a screamer late in the game to lift Utah Valley past the Hornets.

The Wolverines also kept a nation-best fifth clean sheet en route to the victory, with Kolby Sessions racking up a season-best five saves on the night. Dating back to last season, Utah Valley has allowed just one non-PK goal over its last 10 games.

"We say it a lot, our best defense is when we have the ball and our best offense is when we don't," said head coach Kyle Beckerman. "Ball possession, being able to attack with it but also defend with it and stay in control really helps us get these clean sheets."

The fifth shutout already ties the team's total from last season. Utah Valley is the only team in the country so far to start the season with five straight shutout wins, and is the first team in WAC men's soccer history to start the season with five clean sheets.

"We really just trust the game plan," said goalkeeper Kolby Sessions. "If we start out slow, we just trust it and that the way Kyle set us up is going to work. We try not to get frustrated and we just do our thing, and it's working."

HOW IT HAPPENED

Utah Valley opened the scoring in the 32nd minute on a free kick in the attacking third. Keegan Oyler lofted in a cross that skipped off Pogue's head and fell to a streaking Amtrup, who volleyed it home with a karate-style kick. Oyler's assist is his fifth of the season, which is currently the most in the country.

Sessions had to make a trio of saves before the next Wolverine scoring opportunity, including a leaping save in the 50th minute on Sac State's best chance of the night on an effort from just outside the box.

Pogue doubled the Wolverine lead in the 57th after Isaac Emojong's initial shot was saved. Pogue pounced on the rebound and fired it in the back of the net with his first touch.

Pogue had another opportunity from close range in the 65th minute, but his laser of a header hit woodwork and bounced out. 

Utah Valley had a prime scoring opportunity fall by the wayside in the 78th minute as Oyler had a wide open net inside the six, but the pass skipped up on him at the last second and his shot sailed high.

McKay capped the scoring in the 88th minute with a screamer from the right side of the 18. Jose Luis Martin Montealegre cut in from the right flank and struck woodwork with his initial shot, but was able to tee up McKay off the rebound. 

No. 18 Utah Valley faces a tough test in its next match, welcoming defending Big West tournament champion UC Davis to UCCU Stadium on Wednesday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MDT, and tickets can be purchased at GoUVU.com/MSOCtix.