DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis men's soccer scored in the opening four minutes but conceded twice before halftime in a 2-1 loss to Utah Tech on Friday at Aggie Soccer Field. The Aggies held the Trailblazers scoreless after the break, with five saves from Mekhai Wilson keeping UC Davis within reach, but the equalizer never came.
UC Davis honored seniors Declan Horio and Cole "Tex" Powell before kickoff. The Aggies moved to 1-10-4 overall and 1-5-1 in Mountain West play, while Utah Tech improved to 2-11-2 and 1-5-1.
Isaac Chacing gave UC Davis an early lift with his first goal in an Aggie uniform. A buildup through Tristan Wouters found Horio, who drew a foul in the penalty area. Chacing stepped to the spot and converted at 3:28 for a 1-0 lead.
The Aggies threatened to add to their advantage when Josh Gault forced Luca Campoli into a save in the ninth minute. Utah Tech pressed through the middle of the half with a series of corner kicks, while UC Davis created chances of its own, including a saved attempt from Nico Collins and a shot wide from Michael Bulloch in the 23rd minute.
The Trailblazers broke through at 30:30 when Seth Powder finished off an assist from Vincenzo Jeanfreau. Jacob Cinelli scored just over three minutes later to turn the Aggies' early lead into a 2-1 deficit. Wouters tested Campoli only 20 seconds after the go-ahead goal, but Utah Tech carried its advantage into halftime.
UC Davis came out searching for a response after the break. Collins forced saves in the 47th and 56th minutes before the Aggies earned their first corner kick of the match.
At the other end, Wilson, who entered for Talin Morgan at halftime, kept the deficit at one. He denied Diego Vazquez three times between the 57th and 63rd minutes as Utah Tech looked to extend its lead.
Gunner Parker nearly brought UC Davis level in the 74th minute, striking the right post. Wilson answered with another stop against Vazquez moments later, and the Aggies continued their pursuit of the equalizer, earning a corner before Nami Banks had an attempt saved in the 81st minute.
Wilson added a final save against Powder in the 86th to complete a scoreless second half, but UC Davis could not find a way past Campoli again.
Collins led the Aggies with three shots, all on goal. Both teams finished with seven attempts on target, while Utah Tech held a 16-10 advantage in total shots and an 11-3 edge in corner kicks. Campoli recorded six saves.
UP NEXT
UC Davis continues its homestand against UNLV at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Aggie Soccer Field. The match will stream on MW+.
ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS
UC Davis Athletics represents one of the nation's premier public universities on the NCAA Division I stage, with more than 650 student-athletes competing across 25 sports, including 16 programs in the Mountain West Conference. Located in California's quintessential college town, UC Davis combines championship-level athletics with the academic excellence of the nation's #8 public research university and is home to the nation's No. 1 programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine and sustainability. With a growing national media presence, bold investments in facilities and the student-athlete experience, and a tradition of developing champions in competition, in the classroom and beyond, the Aggies are elevating UC Davis on a national stage.
