OREM, Utah — Four different Wolverines found the back of the net to lead Utah Valley (10-4-1, 4-0 WAC) to its seventh straight win, topping the Abilene Christian Wildcats (2-6-6, 0-3 WAC) 4-1 on Saturday night at Clyde Field.
"We're super excited to see so many players contribute, getting goals from four different players," said head coach Chris Lemay. "I thought there were sequences and moments within the game that we looked pretty darn dynamic. Hate giving up one, but we'll try to continue to work on our defending."
The win propels the Wolverines to their 10th win of the season, extending the team's streak to six-consecutive seasons with 10 or more wins, the longest in the team's Division I history. Utah Valley has reached 10 wins in all but one of Lemay's eight seasons at the helm.
The Wolverines dominated the offensive pressure all night, out-shooting the Wildcats 28-5 and 16-3 on goal. ACU's Lilli Ross was forced to make 12 saves on the night, the most by any opposing goalkeeper all season.
Kate Shirts scored her first collegiate goal in spectacular fashion to give the Wolverines the lead in the 12th minute. Shirts received a throw-in from Greta Davis and unloaded on a strike from about five yards beyond the near corner of the penalty area to beat the keeper in right upper 90.
Taylor Nelson doubled the lead six minutes later with her first of the season with a left-footed shot that made its way through traffic in front of the net and into the bottom right corner.
Manthy Brady made it three in the 28th minute with a solo run through the heart of the ACU defense before curling a right-footed strike around the keeper. The Wildcats would get one back in the 32nd minute to make it 3-1 at the half.
Sadie Beardall scored for the second straight game to restore the three-goal advantage in the 65th minute. Quincy Bonds chipped a cross to the center of the penalty area for Ruby Hladek, who settled the ball and teed up Beardall for a left-footed strike past the diving keeper.
Utah Valley will return to action on Thursday night against the California Baptist Lancers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT, with Senior Day festivities scheduled for approximately 5:45. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available at UVUStats.com.
