The Beavers came into Saturday the eighth-best scoring offense in the nation, averaging 2.60 goals per game, but were able to muster up just two shots on frame and seven overall. The Wolverines have not allowed a goal at home in over five games, dating back to the game against Omaha on Sept. 4, and have allowed just one goal at home in the run of play all season.

The win is Utah Valley’s first against a ranked opponent at home since 2017 against No. 13 Akron, which was also the last time the Wolverines won back-to-back games against a top 25 foe. Utah Valley topped No. 20 Marshall on the road back on Sept. 11.

“Excellent team performance. We started off a little slow but we made some adjustments at halftime and the boys executed them to a T,” said head coach Michael Chesler. “Oregon State’s an incredible squad that really gave us a test, and it was really awesome to get a result against them.”

Utah Valley settled into an offensive rhythm quickly, getting some good chances in the early moments, but were unable to convert. Nil Grau had a header on a corner kick go high, then Trevor Walk had a goal-bound effort blocked.

The Beavers challenged for a penalty in the 10th minute, but the replay review determined the play was offside.

OSU had arguably its best chance of the night in the 25th minute when Wyatt Borso’s shot struck the left post and was cleared. Borso came into Saturday second in the nation in goals with 13, but was held to just two shots all night.

Jackson Medina played sweeper keeper in the 39th minute, coming well off his line to win back-to-back challenges and shut down the Beavers on the counter.

Following the break, UVU had a chance to break the deadlock in the 58th minute as Naime Odeh got through on goal, but his shot one-on-one with the keeper was saved. Walk had another shot in the 63rd minute, but his long-range effort was saved.

The Wolverines’ goal came after an extended run of OSU possession. In the 84th minute, Nil Grau and Luca Wingaa Laursen connected for a give-and-go along the far sideline, allowing Grau to break free down the right wing. Grau sent a perfectly-weighted driven ball across the face of goal for Montealegre, who tapped it in just inside the near post.

Following the goal, OSU recorded just one blocked shot over the final six-plus minutes, while the Wolverines had a couple of chances for a second, but opted to play it safe.

With UC Irvine’s win over UC Santa Barbara, the Wolverines now know they will need at least a draw to secure The Big West title next Saturday at Cal State Bakersfield. The Anteaters — who closed out conference play with a 1-0 win over the Gauchos — now sit one point ahead of Utah Valley at 13 points while the rest of the conference still has one league game remaining. A draw at CSUB would give both teams a share of the title, but would give the Wolverines the No. 1 seed on head-to-head tiebreaker. A win gives Utah Valley the title outright.

Kickoff in Saturday’s regular season finale is scheduled for 8 p.m. MDT. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and Big West International.

Wolverine women’s team notches road win

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.