UTAH VALLEY SET TO TAKE ON LONG BEACH STATE ON SATURDAY IN HOME OPENER
Utah Valley returns to Clyde Field on Saturday afternoon for its home opener against Long Beach State, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. The Wolverines come into the match after spending 14 consecutive days on the road, with stops in Michigan, Florida, and Virginia. The team finished the trip with a 2-1-1 record and will be eager to get back on home turf and continue building on their early-season performances.
Last week, UVU went 0-1-1 with a 1-1 draw at UCF on Thursday and a 5-0 loss at No. 21 Virginia on Sunday. Ruby Hladek scored the lone goal for the Wolverines in the tie at UCF. Utah Valley came away with an impressive 2-1-1 record over the 14-day road trip and hopes to continue that momentum at home, where the Wolverines have only lost four matches over the past five seasons.
Ruby Hladek leads the team with three goals and three assists this season. Faith Webber has also contributed with three goals and one assist. Sadie Beardall and Mia Owens have each found the back of the net this season as well. In goal, CJ Graham leads UVU with 18 saves and holds a 1-1-1 record, while Leah Wolf has added two saves and one win.
Utah Valley has a strong history in home openers, holding an all-time record of 10-7-3. Over the past decade, the Wolverines have excelled on their home pitch, winning eight of their last 10 home openers and losing only once during that span. However, in last year's home opener, UVU dropped a 2-0 decision to No. 19 Clemson. Despite that setback, the Wolverines have recently posted impressive back-to-back 2-0 victories against Arizona in 2021 and Colorado College in 2022, continuing to make Clyde Field a challenging venue for opponents.
BROADCAST INFO
Utah Valley's match against Long Beach State on Saturday afternoon will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Brandon Crow will be calling the action for the broadcast.
ABOUT LONG BEACH STATE
Long Beach State women's soccer holds a 1-2-1 record following a competitive week at home. The Beach played to a 1-1 tie against No. 4 BYU on Saturday night, with Makayla Demelo scoring the equalizer in the 73rd minute after LBSU outshot BYU 14-5 in the match. Earlier in the week, the Beach dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 11 Santa Clara, with Julia Moore converting a penalty kick in the second half. Demelo leads the team with two goals and four points, while Moore and Penny Smith have also contributed with a goal each. In goal, Aurora Schuck has been a standout, tallying 19 saves and holding a 1-2-1 record, including a shutout. Schuck made eight saves against Santa Clara and another key save in the match against BYU, anchoring the Beach's defensive efforts.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE BEACH
Utah Valley and Long Beach State will meet up on the pitch for just the second time on Saturday. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw last season in the first-ever meeting between the two schools in Long Beach, California.
UTAH VALLEY CONTINUES TO RECEIVE VOTES IN UNITED SOCCER COACHES TOP-25 POLL, TEAM RANKED SECOND IN PACIFIC REGION POLL
Utah Valley continues to gain national recognition as it received 14 points in this week's United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, tying with Virginia Tech. The Wolverines are the next team into the top-25, just behind #25 NC State, which garnered 23 points. This marks the second straight week that UVU has received votes in the Top-25 poll and the second straight week that the team is ranked No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches Pacific Region Top-10 poll, solidifying its strong presence on the regional stage.
UTAH VALLEY PLAYS BIG 12 FOE UCF TO 1-1 TIE IN ORLANDO
Utah Valley secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw on the road against UCF in the Knights' home opener on Aug. 22. Ruby Hladek gave the Wolverines the lead in the 81st minute, but UCF equalized in the 85th with a goal from Chloe Netzel. Despite being outshot 23-17, Utah Valley's defense and goalkeeper CJ Graham's seven saves kept the game level.
CLYDE FIELD MAGIC
Utah Valley holds an impressive 104-43-15 (.688) all time record at Clyde Field. The team has lost just four matches over the past five seasons on the home pitch. UVU went 6-1-1 in 2022, 8-1-1 in 2021, 4-1-2 in 2020, 8-1-1 in 2019, 3-4-1 at home in 2018, 5-1-0 in 2017, 5-2-1 during the 2016 season and were unbeaten at home during the 2015 season with a 9-0-1 mark. UVU ranks sixth in the nation in attendance per game at 2,021 fans per game.
