Men’s soccer: UVU returns to form with win over UC Davis

Photo by Cody Glassett

DAVIS, Calif.—After getting upset Thursday afternoon in Sacramento, the Utah Valley University men’s soccer team rebounded to take a 1-0 win over the UC Davis Aggies Saturday at Aggie Soccer Field.

Alex Neff put UVU (7-2-0) on the board in the first half with a header in the 21st minute. Neff played the ball off a rebound from Skyler Milne and found the back of the net from a crowded box. It was his second goal of the season.

After he allowed three goals to Sacramento State, Davis (4-3-2) kept goalkeeper Elliott Rubio busy with 11 shots, four on target. Rubio sent all attempts back and played an aggressive attack off his line throughout the match as he smothered the ball as it approached the goal and prevented the Aggies from mounting a serviceable attack.

Rubio and the Wolverines got a scare late in the match as he attempted to clear a ball to the opposite end of the pitch, but an Aggie forward blocked the kick and the ball deflected behind Rubio. The deflection rolled wide right of the goal as it crossed the end line.

The Aggies mounted a final attack in the closing minute with two shots, but both were sent back. The first shot attempt by Kristian Heptner was blocked, then Kyle Higgins’ header was saved by Rubio to keep Davis off the board.

With non-conference play complete, UVU will travel to Seattle to open Western Athletic Conference play against the Seattle U Redhawks. The Wolverines are 0-2-2 all-time against the Redhawks, including a loss in penalty kicks in the 2015 conference title match. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT at Championship Field.