Late penalty kick propels San Jose State over Utah Valley in WAC quarterfinals


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PHOENIX — Utah Valley men's soccer had options.

The Wolverines were pushing with multiple attackers and a net that was not being defended by a keeper. The Wolverines missed both shots, but the official blew his whistle, indicating a replay review to look at a handball.

The Wolverines thought "all was well" and had the potential to get a penalty kick in the 83rd minute. But the official pointed toward their box, indicating San Jose State was awarded the penalty kick off a handball on the previous possession.

The Spartans sent their leading goal scorer and WAC Offensive Player of the Year Angel St. Iniguez to the spot, and he sent it through to propel the Spartans to a 1-0 lead that ended up as the difference maker.

Despite multiple attempts to score, the Wolverines couldn't get it done and fell 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament, ending their season.

Utah Valley came into the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament thanks to a win in their last game of the year that propelled the school to the fourth seed.

The match Sunday was full of intensity — one that Utah Valley had multiple chances to score but had a tough whistle with six yellow cards to the Spartans' two.

The first shot on goal didn't come until the 48th minute of the game when Nik Kizerian had a sliding shot that was deflected. In the 63rd minute, Gilles Aurelien looked to be pulled down while he was shooting, and his shot went off the post with no Wolverines around to rebound.

Some 20 minutes later, the Wolverines had an open net opportunity and couldn't finish, which resulted in the handball review and the Spartans taking advantage of the opportunity.

Utah Valley ended the game with 12 shots, four on goal, and 18 fouls. The Spartans' 10 shots put just two on goal with 15 fouls.

The Wolverines season ends in disappointing fashion in what is also the end of a great career for Omar Yeyha, who ends as the second highest single-season goal scorer in Utah Valley history with 12.

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