BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Utah Valley scored two early goals and never looked back as the Wolverines defeated Bakersfield 3-1 in Western Athletic Conference men's soccer action Friday night.

Utah Valley got on the board in the 13th minute when Skyler Milne headed in an Alex Neff free kick. The Wolverines made it 2-0 3:21 later when Karson Payton beat the 'Runner defense and blasted in an attempt from 15 yards out.

Bakersfield broke the seal in the 20th minute when David Velasquez (R-Sr., Los Angeles, Calif., Locke HS) connected with a shot from just inside the 18-yard mark. Christian Duarte (Jr., Houston, Texas, Clear Springs HS) earned his fifth assist of the season on the play.

“We didn't make the keeper make saves. With the territory that we got and the chances that we got, we never really hit the target,” said Bakersfield head coach Richie Grant

The Roadrunners turned away a three-shot sequence with 10 minutes to play in the first half.  Payton opened the rally with a shot that was saved by Nicolas Clever (So., Cologne, Germany, Gesamtschule Kuerten). The ball ended in the possession of Connor Salmon who posted an attempt that went off the CSUB post. Chandler Boyd concluded the spurt with a shot that went off a Roadrunner for a UVU corner kick. Bakersfield would kick the ball away and keep the score at 2-1.

The Roadrunners began the second half with two Simon Doherty (Jr., West Lothian, Scotland, FDU) shots that were saved by the Wolverines' Collin Partee.  

 “Simon had a great chance and it just didn't come off his foot right. In terms of working the goalkeeper, it was not really enough,” Grant said.

CSUB controlled most of the offensive flow in the second half, but committed a foul inside the box with exactly eight to play in the second half. The Wolverines' Lucas Cawley was awarded a penalty kick which was good, making it the final 3-1.  Bakersfield outshot the Wolverines 12-9, 6-3 in the second half. The Roadrunners held a 5-3 corner kick advantage.

“I thought the defense really played well overall. We made three very costly mistakes in the first half and we were punished for two of them,” Grant said. “I thought our plan and their shape was good. They are not the type of mistakes you can be making in November.”

The top six eligible teams (UIW and Grand Canyon are ineligible) advance to next week's WAC Tournament. With Air Force winning Friday night at Incarnate Word, the Falcons and the 'Runners are tied (10) for final berth into the WAC Tournament.

Air Force is at Houston Baptist Sunday afternoon. The Roadrunners (9-7-2, 3-5-1 WAC) host Seattle U Sunday at 1 p.m.  If the teams remain tied, Air Force will advance to the WAC Tournament via tiebreaker (head-to-head). If Bakersfield wins and Air Force loses, the Roadrunners advance. If the Falcons win and Bakersfield loses, Air Force advances.  

Utah Valley (8-6-2, 4-3-2 WAC), which is in its first season of varsity play in 2014, clinched a spot in the WAC Tournament. Prior to Sunday's match, Bakersfield will honor its senior class. Tickets for Sunday's match are available at vallitix.com.

“We have to put it behind us real quick,” said Grant. “We need three points on Sunday. We have to come in tomorrow and get ourselves ready for a tough match against Seattle on Sunday.”

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