Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
OREM — Utah Valley men's soccer has had a desireable start to the year, but it was going to be put to the test against Lindenwood who is coming off of a 2-1 victory over WAC foe, Utah Tech.
But Utah Valley (5-0-2) and its captian Omar Yehya were destined to keep their undefeated streak alive versus the Lions (3-3-1).
Yehya scored two goals in the effort, one on a PK and the other on an unassisted shot over the goalie. Yehya's 52nd minute goal was not only a go-ahead goal, but it was also a record tying one.
The goal tied the record for most consecutive games with a goal contribution — either a goal or an assist — at seven games, tying current Director of Player Development and Wolverine, Blake Frischknecht who did it in 2019.
Yehya, who has six goals and two assists in the seven consecutive games, had just four goals all of 2023 and is now the current leading goal scorer for the Wolverines in 2024.
"What you guys don't see is Omar's transformation off the field. All the hard work he has done has started to show on the field," head coach Kyle Beckerman said on Yehya. "He took it [being captain] among himself. I am proud of him and he has matured as the year has gone on."
"A lot of credit to the coaches. But I put my head down and work every day. I am scoring the goals but it really us just a 31-man effort. Credit to the team," Yehya said on the goal contribution record. "I just trust in my teammates and we are just a really good squad."
The game started silent until the 27th minute when Lindenwood fired a shot from the left side of the box, bounced of the bar past the keeper Ben Williams and crossed the goal line. The side official called the play offside, but an immediate contention by the Lions persuaded the head official to overrule his counterpart and award the Lions a 1-0 lead.
But Utah Valley's freshman phenom Isaac Emojong evened things up after opening space on the right side of the box, launching a ball to the left corner of the net, knotting the game up at 1-1.
The Wolverines were able to add pressure to the Lions defense, tallying four corner kicks in the first half to the Lions one.
Heading into half, the Lions and Wolverines were tied 1-1.
In the 50th minute, Utah Valley got a great look at the goal when Souley Diouf recieved a header and put great contact on it but it was blocked by the Lion keeper.
Captain Yehya then took a ball down the endline of the Lion's third and was fouled just inside the box, giving him a chance at a PK and to put Utah Valley ahead.
And the captain delivered.
Yehya went right, sneaking the ball just past the keeper, elevating Utah Valley to a 2-1 lead.
Captain Yehya delivers! pic.twitter.com/fBEQWyzwQB
— Nathan Dunn (@NateDunnKSL) September 17, 2024
In the 85th minute, it was Yehya again.
Yehya found himself in a one-on-one situation, dribbled the ball into the box before separating himself to the right of the box, giving himself enough space to ripping a shot to the top left corner, abruptly sealing the game for UVU.
"They came out with good high energy. We slipped up a little bit on their goal, but it shows good character to come from behind and I am really pleased," Beckerman said after the win.
