RIVERSIDE, Calif.—Sadie Beardall scored the game-winning goal in the 30th minute, and Madeleine Boucher recorded her fourth shutout of the season to lead Utah Valley to a 1-0 road victory over California Baptist on Wednesday night at CBU Soccer Stadium.
Utah Valley improves to 8-4-3 overall and remains unbeaten in Big West play at 4-0-2. The Wolverines extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches, while California Baptist falls to 6-3-3 overall and 1-3-2 in conference play.
The Wolverines controlled the match from start to finish, outshooting the Lancers 30-5, including a 13-3 advantage in shots on goal. Utah Valley also held a commanding 12-3 edge in corner kicks.
"That's another big one," said Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay. "A six-day road trip, there's a lot to manage, and I thought the players showed great maturity this evening in the way that they came out. We were very good in possession tonight and created a lot of real goal-scoring opportunities."
Beardall broke through in the 30th minute following a throw-in from Isabella Stewart on the right side of the field. Stewart found Nixan Jackson near the top right corner of the penalty area, where Jackson turned to her left and slipped a pass to Beardall inside the box. Beardall moved into position and fired a left-footed shot over the CBU goalkeeper and into the net to give Utah Valley a 1-0 advantage.
The goal was Beardall's seventh of the season and third game-winner, while Jackson collected her team-leading ninth assist. Jackson now leads the Wolverines with 19 points on five goals and nine assists, while Beardall ranks second with 16 points on seven goals and two assists.
Despite Utah Valley's relentless offensive pressure, California Baptist goalkeeper Mikayla O'Brien kept the Lancers within striking distance, finishing with 12 saves.
"I thought their goalkeeper was exceptional," Lemay said. "Had it not been one of the best goalkeepers in the league, that game probably ends up four or five to zero. Credit to their goalkeeper, credit to our players for coming out and playing the way that we did, keeping the ball and creating chances."
Boucher anchored the Utah Valley defense, making three saves to secure her fourth clean sheet of the season.Â
"I'm very happy for Madi getting another shutout, and another three points on the road is critical," Lemay said.
Quinn Rustand led Utah Valley with a match-high six shots, including two on goal. Addie Olson and Josie Clawson each recorded five shots, with Clawson placing a match-high three attempts on frame. Jackson added four shots, while Beardall finished with two shots, both on goal.
The victory marked Utah Valley's third straight Big West road win. UVU is now 3-0-1 in Big West road matches this season.
Utah Valley returns home following a pair of Big West road victories. The Wolverines will host UC Riverside on Saturday, Oct. 17, at UCCU Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. MT. The match is part of a Utah Valley soccer doubleheader, with the UVU men's team hosting CSUN at 7:30 p.m. MT.
Both matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
