Donovan Sessoms is a sophomore at Sacramento State out of Antelope. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Sophomore Donovan Sessoms wasted little time in getting the Sacramento State men’s soccer team’s season off to a celebratory start, scoring in the fifth minute for an early lead, but the Hornets could muster little after that as visiting Utah Valley netted three unanswered goals en route to a 3-1 victory on Thursday evening at Hornet Soccer Field.

The contest marked the season opener for both teams as Sacramento State opened a campaign at home for the first time since 2017.

Sessoms, a transfer from UNLV who is one of 14 newcomers to the roster for 2024, quickly put his name in the scoring column, scoring just 4:01 into the contest for a 1-0 advantage. A long throw by teammate Zac Giles on the near sideline found a streaking Sessoms down the right side.

The sophomore settled the ball and took off in a foot race with a Utah Valley defender, cutting inside to shake his mark and move inside the 18. There, he took a couple of touches before tucking a left-footed rocket to the upper right corner for the 1-0 lead.

That celebration lasted until the 35th minute when the Wolverines were able to pull the goal back and tie the match on a score by Isaac Emojong, who put home a rebound from the top of the box to make it 1-1. Utah Valley then pulled ahead late in the second half, scoring just two minutes apart in the 80th and 82nd minutes for the final 3-1 tally.

Keith Willey had the eventual game-winner, scoring at the left post for a 2-1 lead, while Omar Yehya put home a rocket for the final score of the day.

Sacramento State closes out its opening weekend on the road on Sunday, traveling to Berkeley, to take on one of the ACC’s newest members in California at 2 p.m.