SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—Sadie Beardall recorded a goal and two assists, while Utah Valley scored four second-half goals and posted its sixth shutout of the season in a 4-0 road win over UC Santa Barbara on Saturday night at Harder Stadium.
Utah Valley improves to 11-4-3 overall and remains unbeaten in Big West play at 7-0-2. With Cal State Fullerton's loss on Saturday night, the Wolverines now hold sole possession of first place in the Big West standings. The victory marks UVU's fifth straight win and extends its overall unbeaten streak to 10 matches. Utah Valley also pushes its regular-season conference unbeaten streak to 41 consecutive matches, dating back to Oct. 8, 2022.
"I thought we took it up a notch in the second half, and when we did that, we became very difficult to deal with," said Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay. "I thought our second-half performance was outstanding. I'm really happy with the collective shutout, and I thought the win was well deserved."
After a scoreless first half, Utah Valley broke through in the 61st minute when Sam Curtis found the back of the net to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. Curtis started the play with a lead pass to Nixan Jackson on the right side. Jackson raced to the end line and sent a cross into the box that UCSB attempted to clear. Curtis collected the loose ball near the top of the box and fired a shot that was saved. Beardall then poked the rebound back to Curtis, who sent her second attempt past the UCSB goalkeeper for the eventual game-winning goal.
The Wolverines wasted little time adding to their lead, scoring again in the 62nd minute. Tylie Miller worked her way into the left side of the box and fired a left-footed shot that was blocked. UCSB attempted to clear the ball, but Addie Olson kept it in the box. Josie Clawson then had a one-touch attempt blocked before Beardall collected the loose ball and sent a right-footed shot into the back of the net to give UVU a 2-0 advantage.
Beardall continued her impressive offensive run in the 66th minute, stealing the ball from a UCSB defender and racing downfield before sending a pass across to Olson inside the box. Olson settled the ball and fired a right-footed shot into the goal to extend Utah Valley's lead to 3-0.
"Sadie is on an absolute tear right now," said Lemay. "She continues to show up for us and has separated herself as the most elite attacker in this league."
Utah Valley capped its scoring in the 82nd minute when Quinn Rustand sent a ball downfield to Jacey Wood, who connected with Brynlee Austin on a give-and-go. Wood collected the return pass inside the box, maneuvered around multiple UCSB defenders and fired a shot into the net to give the Wolverines their fourth goal of the night.
"I'm really happy for Sam Curtis," said Lemay. "She's been big time for us all season long, and for her to get the game winner and score that first goal really opened the gates for the rest of them. Then you bring seniors into the game, and Jacey scores a big-time goal as well. It's exciting, and the team is flying high right now."
Utah Valley dominated the offensive statistics, outshooting UC Santa Barbara 26-8, including a 12-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Wolverines also held a 3-0 edge in corner kicks. Clawson led UVU with six shots, followed by Wood with four. Curtis, Beardall and Wood each recorded two shots on goal.
Madeleine Boucher and Mia Roberts combined for the shutout in goal, with Boucher playing the first 85 minutes and recording three saves. The clean sheet marked Utah Valley's sixth shutout of the season.
Utah Valley now returns to Orem to host Long Beach State on Wednesday night at UCCU Stadium in its final regular-season home match of the season. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
