Men’s soccer: UVU pushes winning streak to six at SJSU

Photo by Lonna King

SAN JOSE, Calif.—The shutout streak ended, but the winning streak pushed to six games as the Utah Valley University men’s soccer team downed San Jose State 2-1 on the road Sunday.

Skyler Milne gave UVU (13-3-0, 6-1-0 WAC) an early lead as Aaron Meyer served a free kick into the six-yard box, where Milne rose above his defender and put a header between SJSU goalkeeper Nedin Tucakovic and the right post.

However, the lead only lasted just over 15 minutes as SJSU (2-12-2, 1-5-1 WAC) tied the score on a breakaway by Rory Knibbs. The goal by Knibbs was the first allowed on the season by goalkeeper Mitch Jensen and put an end to 544 minutes of shutout soccer by UVU.

SJSU’s Jeremy Romero made an attempt to put the Spartans ahead in the 41st minute, but Jensen smothered the attempt and Romero was called for a foul as he still made a play on the ball with Jensen cradling it.

Jensen sent the restart downfield and Meyer redirected the ball behind the Spartan defense. Matt Gay chased down the loose ball and punched it into the right corner for his first goal of the season and a 2-1 UVU lead.

Gay had an opportunity to put the Spartans away in the 87th minute as he approached the goal on a wide open breakaway, but his shot attempt sailed high of the crossbar.

With three matches to play in the season, UVU remains in second place in the Western Athletic Conference, but can still claim the top spot in the conference tournament due to Seattle U’s tie Friday night.

The Wolverines return to Clyde Field Thursday, Oct. 27, to face Grand Canyon at 7 p.m. MT.