Hard-fought game

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Men’s Soccer Team dropped its WAC home opener 2-1 tonight at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex against Utah Valley University.

The Wolverines took a 1-0 lead at the 14:17 mark with a goal made by junior midfielder Zach Mass. With 25 minutes into the game, UTRGV had its first corner kick of the night, but it was deflected by the Wolverines defense.

Junior forward William Akio outruns Wolverine senior defender Jaiden Waggoner during the second half of tonight’s game against Utah Valley University. The game ended with a final score of 2-1.

With just 35 seconds remaining in the first half, Utah Valley committed a handball in the box which granted the Vaqueros a penalty kick.

Senior forward Kyle Edwards took the penalty kick and placed it right on the left side of the net to end the first half in a 1-1 tie.

With 56 minutes into the game, senior forward Blake Frischknecht scored the second goal for the Wolverines to end the game 2-1 in favor of Utah Valley.

Overall, both UTRGV and Utah Valley had eight shots on goal. The Wolverines outnumbered the Vaqueros in corner kicks 4-2.

“We knew it would be a tough game,” Head Coach Paul Leese said. “There were a couple of errors that probably cost us the goals. If we hadn’t conceded them, I think we would’ve probably controlled the game a little bit more.”

UTRGV will be back on the field at noon on Sunday at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex against defending WAC Champion Air Force.