ST. GEORGE, Utah — Following a lengthy delay due to lightning and dodging torrential rains for most of the first half, the Sacramento State men's soccer battled host Utah Tech to a scoreless draw at the break. However, the Trailblazers struck for the lone goal of the match in the 49th minute and turned away the Hornets for a 1-0 win in a rare Monday night match-up in St. George, Utah.
Sacramento State fell to 1-3 overall on the year with each of its three defeats this season coming by a single goal. Utah Tech picked up its first win of the season, improving to 1-3 on the young campaign.
With the precipitation making the artificial surface at Greater Zion Stadium slick, neither team was able to get into much of a rhythm to start the contest. The two teams went without a shot until the 15th minute of the match when the Trailblazers had the match's initial attempt blocked and the Hornets eventually tallied their first attempt in the 21st minute when a shot by Evan Battistessa sailed wide left.
Goalkeeper Lucas Bost made the first of his three saves on the night in the 22nd minute and then got some help from the woodwork in the 40th minute as a shot clanged off the crossbar following another pair of blocks by the stout Hornet defense.
The deadlock continued into the second half before the home side was able to dent the back of the net as Sami Cuevas found room at the lower left-hand corner and slotted home his first of the year and the 1-0 lead.
The Utah Tech defense then stood tall, holding Sacramento State to without a shot until a Zach Castrence attempt in the 60th minute and the Hornets had a solid chance at the equalizer in the 85th minute, but Zac Giles' shot was saved by the Trailblazer keeper.
A four-game road swing continues for Sacramento State on Sunday (Sept. 6) at 7 p.m., as the Hornets head to the Bay Area to take on San Jose State.
