SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Luca Wingaa Laursen scored his second goal of the season and Kolby Sessions made six saves as Utah Valley dropped its road non-conference matchup at Cal Poly, 3-1 on Wednesday night at Spanos Stadium.
The Wolverines fielded a heavily rotated squad that included five players making their first or second starts of the season, with numerous other regulars sitting out or playing limited minutes.
After a slow start, the Mustangs scored on just the second shot of the game, with Finn Linas scoring a header goal in the 26th minute.
Utah Valley would not record its first shot until the final seconds of the half, when Wingaa Laursen volleyed a ball on goal but was saved.
The Wolverines came out stronger in the second half, getting more chances in the attacking third, but were unable to convert any before Cal Poly doubled the lead in the 70th minute.
Following a VAR review, the Mustangs were awarded a penalty when it was determined Jeremie Kuelo fouled Keagan Rhodes in the area. Rylan Firouznam's spot kick was just beyond the reach of Sessions, who got a fingertip to it.
Moments later, UVU got a PK of its own when Oliver Watts was fouled in the penalty area. Wingaa Laursen's initial shot was saved, but was able to tap in the rebound.
The Wolverines were unable to find the equalizer in the closing minutes. Cal Poly closed things out with a goal in the 88th minute off the foot of Charlie Hogan.
Utah Valley will return home on Saturday for its final Big West home game of the season against the CSUN Matadors. With a win, the Wolverines would secure a spot in The Big West Championships, and if both UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara drop points, UVU would secure its first conference title in 10 years.
Kickoff in Saturday's match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MDT, and the game will be the second half of a single-admission doubleheader with women's soccer, who host UC Riverside. Tickets can be purchased at GoUVU.com/GetTix.
