No. 25/RV Utah Valley travels to Phoenix, Ariz., on Saturday to open WAC play against the Grand Canyon Lopes at GCU Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MDT, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. Live stats will be available at GoUVU.com/stats, and the game can be viewed internationally at WACInternational.tv. 

Utah Valley remained at No. 25 in this week's TopDrawerSoccer poll, marking four straight weeks the team has been ranked in that poll. The Wolverines have been 25th in three of those four polls, rising as high as 22nd in the Sept. 21 poll. Utah Valley is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll for the second straight week.

LAST TIME OUT

The Wolverines last took to the pitch on Sept. 20, taking home a 1-1 draw against the Santa Clara Broncos at UCCU Stadium. That game marked the first time Utah Valley allowed a goal this season, and did not score multiple goals.

Nil Grau scored his second goal of the season in the seventh minute to give the Wolverines an early lead. Moments before, Grau thought he had earned a penalty after his shot was blocked behind for a corner by an outstretched arm, but the Spaniard was able to head home the ensuing corner.

Keegan Oyler pitched in what was then a nation-leading sixth assist of the season on Grau's goal. After the two-week layoff, Oyler still leads the nation in assists per game (0.86), but has fallen to fourth in total assists, two behind Monmouth's Jakob Friedman.

As of Oct. 1, goalkeeper Kolby Sessions has been the top shot-stopper in the nation, posting an NCAA-best .947 save percentage while also ranking second in goals-against average (0.143) and solo shutouts (6). With one more clean sheet, Sessions would set the program single-season record outright.

Entering the week, Utah Valley is one of 18 teams nationally without a loss so far this season and the only in the WAC. The Wolverines are unbeaten entering WAC play for the first time in program history at 6-0-1, and a win or tie against the Lopes would set the team record for longest unbeaten stretch to start a season. 

SCOUTING THE LOPES

GCU is off to a strong start under second-year head coach George Kiefer, surpassing last season's win total through nine games. The Lopes are led by red-hot freshman F Junior Diouf, who has a team-high eight goals that ranks sixth in the nation. Junior is related to former Wolverine Souley Diouf and current UVU defender Abdou Samb, who hail from Senegal.

HISTORY VS GCU

Utah Valley versus GCU has always been a tight, spirited fixture, with just one match in the 11-game series being decided by multiple goals. GCU leads the series 6-4-1, with wins in the last 4 meetings in Phoenix. UVU's last win in the series came in 2019, a 3-2 overtime win in Orem. UVU's lone road loss in 2024 came at GCU. The Wolverines are 7-1-2 in true road games since the beginning of last season. Utah Valley is 1-6 all-time at GCU Stadium, including the loss to SJSU at last season's WAC Tournament.

UP NEXT

Utah Valley will celebrate Senior Night on Oct. 9 against the Air Force Falcons. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT, with the Senior Night ceremony beginning approximately 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Tickets can be purchased at GoUVU.com/MSOCtix.