No. 20 Gonzaga Suffers First Loss To No. 19 Utah Valley

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The difference was a first-half Utah Valley free kick

Sept. 15, 2016

OREM, Utah - The No. 20 Gonzaga Bulldogs suffered their first defeat of the season and were shutout for the first time, as they fell to No. 19 Utah Valley in Orem, Utah on Thursday evening.

The difference came in the 23rd minute as Aaron Meyer scored his first goal of the year. He took a free kick from the top of the box and guided it into the left corner.

The Zags battled in shots, with Utah Valley taking the 14-13 edge, but GU was unable to get a shot on goal, and the Wolverines fired four including the game-winner. Ben Willis made three saves in goal for GU and the Zags had two corner kick opportunities.

"Utah Valley was a good team playing at home with a solid fan base for their homecoming," head coach Einar Thorarinsson said. "The game was close and well played, the difference was just one free kick that found the left side. You always want to win, but I am happy with how we played and how we approached the game."

Jalen Crisler, Nick Ulowetz, and Isaiah Jackson all fired early shots for the Zags before UVU's early goal. Gonzaga's best first-half chance came at 33:41 when Crisler's header bounced off the crossbar.

The Zags had two late chances blocked as the first half clock expired. Graison Le missed wide at 59:52 and Jakob Granlund fired wide in the 81st minute for GU's best chances in the second frame.

Gonzaga will travel to Southern California to face UC Riverside at 11 a.m. this Sunday, September 18, as they look to return to their winning ways.