MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Men's Soccer struck first but couldn't hang on against Utah Tech on Sunday afternoon, falling 2-1 for their first loss of the season.
 
Wade Muttitt picked up where he left off to end the 2022 campaign, after having to sit out the season opener due to a red card to finish off last year. The team's leading scorer in '22 was known for his quick strikes early in a game, and that's exactly what he did to start his second season at SMC.
 
Timothy Stephens fed a pass downfield to Riley Lynch, who worked his way deep into the penalty area. Lynch then threaded a cross right in front of the goal mouth that was chipped in by Muttitt, trickling across the goal line for a 1-0 Saint Mary's lead just 1:05 into the game.
 
The match featured a furious pace early on from both sides, but the Trailblazers kept theirs up their pace up a bit long and forced the Gaels into some mistakes on the back, leading to Utah Tech's two goals.
 
In the 23rd minute, Utah got a corner opportunity and AJ Ciampini served a line drive to the near post. Muttitt attempted to clear it with a header, but it ended up falling into the back of the net for an equalizing, own goal.
 
Just 12 minutes later the Gaels defense would turn the ball over on left side outside of the penalty area when Jima Villasenor took it away. Villasenor worked his way into the box and fired off a right-footed shot. Keeper Jack Landreth leaped up and got his fingertips on the ball, but not enough to keep it out of left corner of net to put Utah Tech up 2-1.
 
Saint Mary's tried to pick up the pace and sense of urgency as the second half waned, but were still outshot in the match 19-8.
 
UP NEXT:
The Gaels will host Dartmouth on Friday, September 1 at 5:00 p.m.