SACRAMENTO -- Austin Wehner's first goal of the season off a pass from Cody Sundquist in the 38th minute accounted for the only goal of the game, while junior goalkeeper Mac Learned had a career day between the pipes, helping lift the Sacramento State men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Utah Tech on Thursday evening at Hornet Soccer Field.
The Hornets got into the win column for the first time in 2023, improving to 1-2 overall on the season while winning their home opener for the second straight season. The Trailblazers, who held a 21-7 shot advantage — including nine attempts on frame — fell to 1-2 overall.
Wehner, who tied for second on the team with four goals and three assists a season ago, opened his account for 2023 midway through the first half. Cody Sundquist drove left around a Utah Tech defender and found room to feed Wehner, who turned his back to goal and heeled the ball inside the left post for the 1-0 lead.
The Trailblazers, who opened with the first five shot attempts of the match and eight of the first 10 prior to Wehner's goal, went into the locker room down a goal and continued to pepper the Hornet net to start the second period, taking the first three shots of the half before gaining a golden opportunity to tie the match in the 57th minute when Utah Tech was awarded a penalty kick after a player was taken down in the box.
Jimi Villasenior stepped to the spot to take the attempt, but launched his shot high over the net, keeping it a one-goal contest.
Learned then put on a clinic, turning away three scoring attempts with saves over a five minute span while a defender cleared another attempt off th eline in the 66th minute. Three minutes later, Utah Tech gained another advantage when a red card was issued for a dangerous play in the 70th minute, putting Sacramento State a man down for the final 20 minutes.
However, the Trailblazers couldn't take advantage as Learned stopped two more attempts in the final seven minutes and the defense successfully defended two more corners as time expired, securing the win.
Learned finished with a career-high eight saves in the match — six of those in the second half — surpassing his previous best of seven stops set against Santa Clara on Aug. 29, 2021. Meanwhile,
Christo Cervantes came off the bench to lead the team with three shot attempts.
Sacramento State closes out its weekend on the road on Sunday (Sept. 3) at Noon PT, traveling to Colorado to take on Air Force.
Gallery: (8-31-2023) MSOC vs. Utah Tech
