STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Soccer dropped its WAC opener against Utah Valley, 5-2, at the Tarleton Soccer Complex on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Texans (6-4-3 overall, 0-1-0 WAC) were within a goal against the 2023 WAC Regular Season Champion, Utah Valley Wolverines (7-4-1, 1-0-0).
 
Jaycie Bass notched her second goal of the season in the last minute of the first half. The junior beat the keeper one-on-one for her second goal of the year.
 
Adelaide Wyrzynski netted her second goal of the season as well. Wyrzynski was very active offensively and found a shot in the second half that slipped past the Wolverines keeper.
 
Rylie Bloomfield entered the match in the second half and notched seven saves.
 
The Wolverines struck first by the foot of the WAC leading scorer, Faith Webber in the ninth minute. A pair of passes from Taylor Nelson and Manthy Brady found Webber in the middle of the box where she one-timed for her ninth goal of the season.
 
Utah Valley notched their second goal of the game a minute later. Brady brought the ball down the side of the field and sent a cross to the middle of the box where Nixan Jackson headed it into the back of the goal.
 
In the 24^th minute, Wyrzynski attempted to get the Texans on the board, but had her shot blocked by a Wolverine defender.
 
The Texans notched their first goal of the match in the final minute of the first half. Adriana Alonso-Gomez sent a cross across the pitch to find Wyrzysnki. Wyrzynski promptly found Bass at the top of the box where she beat the Wolverines keeper one-on-one and slipped it pass with a roller for her second goal of the season.
 
The Wolverines quickly responded when Grace Lester found the top left of the net from deep outside the box to send Utah Valley into the break leading, 3-1.
 
Wyrzynski cut the Texan deficit in half in the 52^nd minute. Sam Liaty sent a cross in the box where the Australian native deposited the loose ball behind the Wolverines' backup keeper.
 
Wyrzynski nearly tied the game in the 60^th minute. Tori Cameron used her speed to flash past the Wolverine front and drew the keeper out of the box. The keeper was unable to corral her block on Cameron's ball leaving the ball at the foot of Wyrzynski in the top of the attacking third. Her shot at the empty net bounced just wide, leaving the Wolverines ahead, 3-2.
 
The Wolverines added an insurance goal in the final 15 minutes of the match. Off a corner by Kate Shirts, it bounced off the head of Ruby Hladek where Jackson scored for the second time on the day.
 
Utah Valley held a 19-6 advantage on shots. Tarleton led 5-3 on corner kicks.
 
Tarleton State will hit the road for three consecutive road matches. The Texans will travel to California Baptist and Grand Canyon next week before closing out its road slate at Seattle on October 12th.