OREM — Utah Valley University women's soccer will return home to UCCU Stadium on Thursday night to host ACC foe California. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. MT following the UVU men's match against FGCU, which kicks off at 5 p.m. UVU's match against the Golden Bears will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Utah Valley (1-1-0) is coming off a hard-fought 3-2 setback at No. 23 Kansas last Thursday in Lawrence. Faith Webber netted her first goal of the season to pull the Wolverines even in the 22nd minute, and Ruby Hladek added a late header in the 85th, but the rally came up just short. Despite the loss, Hladek was named WAC Offensive Player of the Week after finishing with a goal and an assist against the nationally ranked Jayhawks. The senior forward became the second Wolverine this season to earn weekly league honors, joining goalkeeper Leah Wolf and defender Taylor Nelson after UVU's opening win over Utah.

Through two matches, Hladek leads the Wolverines in goals (2), assists (2), and points (6). She is tied for the team lead in shots with five and leads in shots on goal with three. Webber and Nixan Jackson have also scored this season, while Wolf anchors the box with 15 saves, a 1.50 goals-against average, a .833 save percentage, and one shutout.

The Wolverines also moved into this week's United Soccer Coaches Pacific Region Top-10, coming in at No. 5. UVU returns several decorated standouts, including Webber, who was recently named to the 2025 Hermann Trophy Watch List—the nation's top individual award. She and Hladek were also tabbed to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch list, while Webber landed at No. 15 on Top Drawer Soccer's National Top-100 and on the Preseason Best XI Second Team.

Thursday's match will be the third all-time meeting between Utah Valley and California, and the first in Orem. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in their most recent meeting last season in Berkeley.

Scouting California
California (2-1-1) split a pair of matches last week, defeating San Francisco 3-2 before dropping a narrow 1-0 decision to Pepperdine. Senior forward Lumi Kostmayer, who delivered the game-winner against USF, leads the Golden Bears with two goals, while four others have also found the net. In goal, senior Teagan Wy has logged every minute this season, recording one shutout and 12 saves through four starts. A preseason All-ACC pick, Wy helped Cal open the year with a 3-2 win at UC San Diego and a 0-0 road draw at Cal State Fullerton. Head coach Neil McGuire, now in his 18th season, recently earned his 200th career victory with the Golden Bears. Cal was picked 10th in the ACC preseason coaches' poll after finishing tied for seventh a year ago.

Series History
California leads the all-time series 1-0-1. The Golden Bears won the first meeting in 2018 in Berkeley before UVU battled to a 1-1 draw in 2023.

• Sept. 15, 2023 — Utah Valley tied California, 1-1 (Berkeley, Calif.)
• Aug. 17, 2018 — California def. Utah Valley, 3-0 (Berkeley, Calif.)

Tickets
For UVU women's soccer single game and season tickets, visit GoUVU.com/Tickets.