BOX SCORE
SEATTLE - (Sept. 30) With the stands packed full of the who’s who of 50 years of Seattle University men’s soccer, the 2016 team put together an impressive performance of their own as two first-half goals led the charge in a 2-0 shutout of 21-ranked Utah Valley as Western Athletic Conference play began Friday night at Championship Field.
The game was effectively put away before SU had a chance to honor its 50 years of alumni at halftime.
Sergio Rivas and Sam Langston each put away their first goal of the season - just 1:26 apart - and the defense did the rest as the Redhawks (5-4-0, 1-0-0 WAC) posted their fourth shutout of the season.
The aggressors from the opening kick, Seattle U earned a 17-7 shot advantage, including eight shots on frame. UVU goalkeeper Elliott Rubio came up with six saves, but could do little on the two Redhawks goals.
Rivas opened the scoring flurry just inside the 20-minute mark on a quick shot from eight yards out. The sophomore midfielder made a run into the box as Jeff Rose controlled the ball not he left flank. Rose sent a low pass into the area for Rivas, who controlled it near the left goalpost, then sent a shot into the far right netting.
Less than a minute-and-a-half later, Langston made it 2-0 when he took a pass from David Olsen and again beat Rubio with a shot into the right netting.
The win kept SU unbeaten against the Wolverines in six all-time meetings, and handed UVU its second loss in the last three outings. It marked just the third time this season UVU has allowed more than one goal scored.
Redhawks goalkeeper Jordan Hadden, seeing action in just his second match of the year, made four saves and picked up the shutout win.
WAC play continues Sunday as SU hits the road for a 1 p.m. meeting at CSU Bakersfield.