UC Irvine Falls To Wolverines, 2-0

Wednesday, September 30

Orem, Utah

6:00 PM PT

UC Irvine

4-5-1, 0-1-0

Utah Valley

5-0-2, 1-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
UC Irvine	0	0	0
Utah Valley	0	2	2

Kenshi Pivernetz plays vs. Oregon State in his collegiate debut in 2026

Photo by: Matt Brown

UC Irvine Falls To Wolverines, 2-0

September 30, 2026 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Alex Roberts-Croteau

OREM, Utah --- UC Irvine men's soccer dropped its Big West opener on the road to Utah Valley, 2-0, at UCCU Stadium.

First Impressions

The 'Eaters were in enemy territory and feeling it early with the Wolverines taking most of the shots and chances in the first half
UCI drew a yellow card on the foul in the 10th minute that was reviewed for potential red card, but was unfounded and play resumed.
A Marcus Lee shot in the 18th minute was UCI's only attempt in the first half while Utah Valley put up eight in the first half with two saved by Scott Williams
UCI also drew a majority of the fouls with 10 issued to UVU and UCI committing just one as the match went into the half a 0-0

Smoke and Mirrors

The 'Eaters were on the front foot from the first whistle of the second half earning a corner and two shots in the first minute
Utah Valley's first shot was the goal breakthrough coming in the 55th minute
- Ollie Watts drove through the midfield and fired from outside the box beating Williams to the right post and in for a 1-0 lead
The offenses took a back seat for a bit before Marcus Lee fired a shot on goal in the 66th minute and back-to-back blocks in the box in the 68th minute alerted everyone to UCI's presence
UVU grew their lead to 2-0 in the 70th minute
- A ball heading toward goal was blocked up into the air in the box, and Adem Arous fan onto it and sliced a shot off the outside of the boot just inside the near post with pace to double the lead
The Anteaters struggled to build many threats down the rest of the match recorded just two shots both off target.
The Wolverines added more chances including two saves for Scott Williams in the 80th minute

Utah Valley 2, UC Irvine 0

The Wolverines, who were ranked last week and entered the week receiving votes, continued their unbeaten start to the season now 5-0-2 as they earning a victory in their very first Big West match
Williams in goal finished with four saves, a high for him as an Anteater
Notably in the match was Abraham Brown in the starting XI, his first this season and second of his collegiate career

The Anteaters return to California and Anteater Stadium with their next match - Big West home opener against Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, October 3 with a 6:00 p.m. kickoff.