SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Nil Grau scored for the second game in a row and Jackson Medina kept his first clean sheet as a Wolverine as Utah Valley grinded out a 1-0 win on the road against the Santa Clara Broncos on Sunday night.
The Wolverines move to 3-0 for the second season in a row and the fifth time overall. Entering Sunday, Utah Valley was one of just 24 teams remaining nationally with a perfect record, and the last one standing from The Big West.
"Three points on the road is hard to earn, and this group earned it," said head coach Michael Chesler. "Defensively, we were sound, we created real chances, and we're going to keep getting better at both ends of the field. Great first step away from home.
Grau scored for the second game running and has now registered a point in all three of UVU's games thus far. Grau assisted on Naime Odeh's season-opening goal against Pacific, then scored the game-winner on Monday against Central Arkansas.
Medina was called into action just over 90 seconds into the game, sliding in to deny a close-range effort on a dangerous Bronco through ball for his first of two saves on the night.
Grau got the Wolverines on the board inside three minutes for the team's fastest goal of the season thus far. Owen Knecht lofted a cross down the right wing for Grau, who settled it down and chipped the keeper from just inside the right side 18 at a tough angle.
Santa Clara nearly scored an Olimpico in the 28th minute, but Medina was able to deny the in-swinger at his back post.
The Wolverines almost doubled their lead moments later in the 30th minute as Knecht darted in off the right wing and sent a low driven cross through the six that found Jose Luis Martin Montealegre with a wide-open net, but the ball got caught under his feet and was cleared away.
Utah Valley had a trio of opportunities shortly after the intermission, but were unable to capitalize. Adem Arous took a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 50th minute, but his shot went right at the keeper. Oliver Watts and Noah Pogue then had back-to-back shots in the 56th minute, but Watts' deflected effort struck woodwork and Pogue's followup went wide right.
Santa Clara had one of its best scoring opportunities in the 71st as Moises Almontes danced away from defenders in the box, but his eventual right-footed effort went inches wide left. Andrew Sullivan then unloaded on a long-range effort in the 79th minute, but his shot went just high.
Utah Valley withstood the Bronco pressure down the stretch, culminating in a 90th-minute cross that went untouched through the 18 and out for a goal kick.
The Wolverines return to Orem for the final home game of the traditional portion of non-conference play. Utah Valley will host the Omaha Mavericks on Thursday at UCCU Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. MDT. Tickets can be purchased at GoUVU.com/GetTix, and the game will also be streamed on ESPN+.
