UTAH VALLEY SET TO HOST #11 UTAH STATE, TRAVELS TO PLAY UTAH
Utah Valley (2-2-1) returns to Clyde Field on Thursday night for an in-state rivalry matchup against No. 11 Utah State (5-0), with kickoff set for 7 p.m. The Wolverines will then travel north on I-15 to take on Utah (2-1-1) in Salt Lake City on Sunday night at 7 p.m.

Last week, UVU dropped a 2-1 decision to Long Beach State in the team's home opener on Saturday afternoon at Clyde Field. The loss marked just the seventh defeat at home over the past six seasons for the Wolverines, who now sit at 2-2-1 overall this season.

In the match against Long Beach State, Utah Valley equalized in the 34th minute after Cortney Cobabe's defensive play set up Quincy Bonds, who then assisted Faith Webber for the Wolverines' lone goal. Despite outshooting Long Beach State 19-10 and holding a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks, UVU was unable to find the back of the net again and conceded a second goal just before halftime.

Faith Webber leads the team with four goals and is tied with Ruby Hladek for the team lead in points with nine. Ruby Hladek has three goals and three assists this season. Sadie Beardall and Mia Owens have each found the back of the net as well. In goal, CJ Graham has recorded 22 saves with a .686 save percentage and holds a 2-2-1 record, while Leah Wolf has added two saves and one win.

BROADCAST INFO
Utah Valley's matches against Utah State and Utah will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Brandon Crow will be calling the action for the broadcast against Utah State. 

ABOUT UTAH STATE
Utah State soccer holds an undefeated 5-0 record this season after posting a 2-0 week with road wins over in-state Big 12 foes Utah and then-No. 16 BYU. The Aggies have climbed eight spots in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll to No. 11, marking the highest ranking in program history. Prior to this season, Utah State had never been ranked or received a single vote in the poll.

Utah State's strong start includes wins over three 2023 NCAA Tournament teams (Pepperdine, Texas Tech, and BYU) and three consecutive victories over Big 12 opponents. The Aggies have scored 13 goals while limiting opponents to just one. Tess Werts leads the team with four goals and 10 points, while Summer Diamond has contributed three goals. Bizzy Arevalo has also added two goals. In goal, Shay Kercher-Pratt has been stellar, boasting a 4-0-0 record with 12 saves, three shutouts, and a 0.25 goals against average, having allowed only one goal this season.

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE AGGIES
Utah Valley and Utah State will meet up on the pitch for the 10th time on Thursday night. The two teams last met on Sept. 3, 2021 with Utah State taking a 2-1 win in Logan. Utah Valley's last win was a 1-0 shutout win in Orem in 2017. Utah Valley has won two of the last three meetings against the Aggies. The Wolverines hold an all-time 3-6-0 record against USU, including a 2-2-0 record against the Aggies in Orem.

ABOUT UTAH
Utah holds a 2-1-1 record, having played all its games at home this season. The Utes opened with a 2-1 win over Gonzaga, followed by a 1-1 tie against WAC-foe Grand Canyon. The team then suffered a 2-0 loss to in-state rival Utah State but bounced back with a commanding 7-1 victory over Weber State. Utah will travel to Baton Rouge to play LSU on Thursday night before returning home to host Utah Valley on Sunday night.

Tatiana Kaufusi leads the Utes with five goals and 10 points, topping the team with 11 shots, including six on frame. Katie O'Kane is second on the team with three goals and seven points. In goal, Erin Gibbs and Kasey Wardle have split time, with Wardle playing 225 minutes and holding a 1-1-1 record with a 1.60 goals-against average, while Gibbs has played 135 minutes with a 1-0-0 record and a 0.67 goals-against average.

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE UTES
Utah Valley and Utah will meet on the pitch for the ninth time on Sunday night. Utah holds an all-time 7-0-1 advantage in the series. Utah shutout the Wolverines, 5-0, last season in Salt Lake in the last meeting between the two schools. UVU is 0-6-0 all-time against the Utes in games played in SLC.