OREM — Utah Valley senior defender Mia Owens has been named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Players to Watch – Defenders list, recognizing her as one of the nation's top returning defenders entering the 2026 season.

Owens returns after one of the most decorated seasons by a defender in program history. She was named the 2025 WAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-WAC honors, while also receiving College Sports Communicators Academic All-America recognition, United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America honors and United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Region accolades.

The San Clemente, California, native started all 22 matches for the Wolverines in 2025, logging 1,794 minutes while helping lead Utah Valley to a 14-5-3 overall record, its fourth consecutive WAC regular-season championship and its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. Owens anchored a Utah Valley back line that allowed just 29 goals in 22 matches while recording six shutouts. She also contributed offensively from the back line with one goal and two assists.

"Mia is a standout defender with great athleticism," said Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay. "Her defining quality is her ability to penetrate from the back line. Mia is deserving to be recognized as one of the top backs in the country, and we are excited to watch her showcase her talent this upcoming fall against some great competition."

The Players to Watch lists are compiled and released by the United Soccer Coaches Division I All-America Committees and feature returning All-Americans and All-Region selections from the 2025 season. The positional announcements also serve as a lead-up to the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy watch lists, which recognize the nation's top collegiate soccer players.

The 2026 campaign marks Utah Valley's inaugural season as a member of The Big West Conference. The Wolverines open the season on Thursday, Aug. 13, with a home matchup against Michigan at UCCU Stadium.