OREM — Utah Valley University standouts Faith Webber and Ruby Hladek have been named to the 2025 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Players Forwards to Watch list, announced Tuesday by the organization's Division I All-America Committees.
The annual preseason lists, compiled by the United Soccer Coaches All-America Committees, highlight returning All-Americans and All-Region honorees from the previous season. The recognition aims to showcase some of the nation's top players entering the upcoming college soccer season. Utah Valley is one of just 12 programs in the country with multiple players on the Forwards to Watch list.
Webber, a senior forward from Grand Blanc, Michigan, is one of the most decorated players in UVU history and enters her final season holding seven career records, including points (109), goals (48), and goals per game (0.81). The 2024 WAC Offensive Player of the Year and three-time First Team All-WAC selection led the nation in goals per game last season (0.95) while setting single-season UVU records for goals (18), points (38), shots (110), and shots on goal (56). A three-time United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Pacific Region honoree, she also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® honors in 2024 and is a two-time United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American. Webber has helped lead UVU to three straight WAC regular season titles and the program's first-ever at-large NCAA Tournament bid in 2022.
"Faith has been playing well in camp," said UVU head coach Chris Lemay. "She spent time training over the summer with some NWSL teams and addressed a couple areas of her game that could be improved. She is sharp, excited and ready to contribute to the team's success. I anticipate seeing an even better Faith than previous seasons."
Hladek, a senior forward from Ladera Ranch, California, is coming off a breakout junior season in which she earned First Team All-WAC honors, United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Pacific Region recognition, and a spot on the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Team. She also garnered College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® honors and is a two-time Academic All-WAC selection. A two-time WAC All-Tournament Team honoree, Hladek has been a key contributor to back-to-back WAC regular season championships.
In 2024, she started all 19 matches, leading the WAC with 10 assists while adding five goals. Her season included a brace in a 5-2 win at Detroit Mercy, a goal in a draw at UCF, a tally in a 3-0 win at Southern Utah, and a score against California Baptist in the WAC Tournament. She finished the year with 44 shots, including 17 on frame.
"Ruby has continued to get better and better," Lemay said. "She is fit, hungry and motivated to have a great senior campaign. She leads by example and her positive energy has been contagious in camp. We expect big things from Ruby this fall."
Webber, Hladek, and the Wolverines open the 2025 campaign on Aug. 14 at Idaho State before making their debut in the new UCCU Stadium on Aug. 18 against Utah.
