Men’s Soccer Clinch Spot in WAC Tournament

Kenzie Jones, Sports Editor, @KenzieScribbler

On Friday night Utah Valley’s men’s soccer team clinched a berth in this season’s Wester Athletic Conference Tournament via a 3-1 win over Bakersfield. After an amazing first season for the program the win add yet an other historic milestone to the books.

It was an exciting game from the get-go as the Wolverines scored two goals in the first 16 minutes of the match. The first of which came in from a Alex Neff free kick that Skyler Milne controlled with a header and placed the ball in the goal. Next Karson Payton brought the ball past the defense for a what looked to be an effortless shot. The Payton shot came from 15 yards out and marked his fifth goal of the season and second in as many games.

The Roadrunners got one back in the 20th minute as  David Velasquez scored from just inside the 18. The goal came with an assist from Christian Duarte. After that the first half ended with UVU holding the advantage at 2-1.

The scored was held there as both teams played with strong defense for the next 62 minutes of play. Lucas Cawley put the match away with a penalty kick and his fourth goal of the season. With the Cawley goal the game was basically over as the Roadrunners couldn’t make up the two point deficit in the remaining eight minutes left in regulation.

The win gives Utah Valley the No. 5 seed in the upcoming WAC Tournament. The tournament will be taking place next week starting on Thursday, November 13 and going through Sunday, November 16. Seattle is this season’s host for the WAC event.

The gentlemen Wolverines will close out their regular season on Sunday, November 9, at San Jose State. Both teams have clinches spots in the WAC Tournament and will be playing for seeding only. The two competitors are currently ties at 14 points in the fourth spot and are potential first round opponents.