Utah United claims USL W championship, BYU’s Walbruch MVP
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- BYU’s Ellie Walbruch poses with the championship trophy as Utah United shut out Carolina Courage U23 for the USL W Championship at South Field on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
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- Members of Utah United pose for photos after beating Carolina Courage U23 4-0 in the USL W Championship at South Field on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
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- BYU’s Lucy Kessler handles the ball while competing for Utah United against Carolina Courage U23 in the USL W Championship at South Field on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
It didn’t take long for Utah United to shoot to the top of the USL W League.
Four different players scored goals on Saturday at BYU’s South Field in a 4-0 shutout of defending champion NC Courage U23 in the USL W Championship match.
Utah United was added as an expansion franchise in December of 2024 and went on to lead the league in goals scored (61) while posting six shutouts in the regular season.
Forward Ellie Walbruch, who will begin her junior year at BYU this fall, was named 2025 USL W League Final MVP after contributing to Utah’s first two goals.
In a back-and-forth first half, the home side took the lead in the 37th minute. Utah regained possession off a deep Courage throw-in, finding the feet of Walbruch. The forward’s shot from the top of the box was deflected, and the rebound landed in front of Anna McKenzie Evans-Tostado, who took a touch and blasted it into the upper left corner.
Both sides traded shots in the following moments, as Walbruch’s shot curled just outside the left post and Courage midfielder Lia Howard’s attempt from close range was an easy grab for goalkeeper Taylor Rath.
Utah United nearly doubled the lead just before halftime. Ruby Hladek (Utah Valley) sent a long switch over the top to Walbruch making a run down the right flank. A mis-clear from a Courage defender helped the ball along Walbruch’s path, and she sent a low shot towards the back post, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Lauren Zitt for the final play of the half.
The home side came out with energy in the second half and quickly netted two more goals within the opening 10 minutes. Substitute Lilliah Blum (University of Utah) made a run into the box and sent a cross into Walbruch, whose shot was saved by Zitt. However, the ball landed in front of Golden Boot winner Seven Castain (TCU), who directed the ball into an empty net. The third goal was in a similar fashion, with Blum getting on the end of the rebounded save and slotting home the goal with ease.
The fourth goal of the night came soon after off a Utah corner kick. Midfielder Lucy Kesler, a sophomore at BYU, sent in the cross to Hladek at the top of the 6-yard box, who redirected the goal off a header past Zitt.
NC Courage U23 had multiple close attempts to cut into the deficit. Defender Lauren Montgomery took a free kick in the 58th minute that went just over the crossbar. Forward Mia Minestrella also sent in a shot from inside the box but was stopped by Rath.
