HUNTSVILLE, Texas—Nicole Ray fired a shot into the back of the net in the 75th minute to break a 0-0 tie and give Utah Valley a 1-0 road win over Sam Houston on Sunday afternoon at Pritchett Field in Huntsville, Texas.
 
Utah Valley improves to 5-1-3 overall and 1-0-1 in WAC play. Sam Houston falls to 1-5-1 overall and 0-2-0 in league play.
 
"It's always difficult on the road, especially the second road game of a two-game trip," said Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay. "The conditions were tough. It was hot and humid on a small turf field. I'm proud of our team for being gritty and finding a way to get three points and a shutout road win."
 
Leah Wolf made a nice save at the 74:07 mark and then gathered the ball and punted it down the field. The ball took a high bounce off the turf and drifted over the Sam Houston backline to Ray who then went one-on-one with the Bearkat keeper and tucked a shot into the near post for what would prove to be the game winner in the 75th minute. 
 
Utah Valley outshot Sam Houston 19-10 with a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal. UVU had three corner kicks to Sam Houston's one. The Wolverines outshot the Bearkats 15-5 in the second half. Faith Webber led the Wolverines with four shots with one on frame. Ray, Heather Stainbrook, and Hannah Lee each had three shots. Both Ray and Stainbrook led UVU with two shots each on frame. 
 
The Wolverine defense picked up its third shutout of the season. Idalia Serrano played the first half in the box, picking up a pair of saves. Wolf picked up the win in goal as she played the second half picked up two saves, including an impressive diving effort in the 81st minute to secure the Wolverines the shutout win. She was also credited with an assist on Ray's goal in the 75th minute.
 
Utah Valley will step out of conference play next week as the team travels to the City of Roses to play WCC foe Portland on Saturday, Sept. 24. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. MT. UVU will then return to Orem to continue WAC play against California Baptist on Friday, Sept. 30 at Clyde Field.