UVU Roundup: Webber becomes women’s soccer single-season goal leader
Courtesy UVU Athletics
Utah Valley's Faith Webber scored her 19th goal of the season on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Tarleton State, a new program season record.STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Faith Webber scored twice to set a new Utah Valley single-season goals record with 19, and the Wolverines closed the regular season with a 3-0 win at Tarleton State on Sunday afternoon at Tarleton Soccer Complex.
With the brace, Webber breaks her own record of 18 set last season–giving her the program’s single-season mark for a third straight year. The two goals in the win over Tarleton State gives Webber 19 on the year.
Utah Valley wraps up Western Athletic Conference regular-season play unbeaten at 9-0-1, improving to 13-4-2 overall. The Wolverines have now gone three consecutive WAC regular seasons without a loss and enter the postseason as the No. 1 seed after securing their fourth straight WAC regular season championship with Thursday’s win at Abilene Christian.
After a scoreless first half, Utah Valley broke through in the 68th minute when Taylor Nelson sent a cross from the left side and Webber one-timed it with her left foot into the back of the net. Three minutes later, Sierra Pennock slipped a lead ball to Webber, who again finished with her left to double the advantage. Freshman Lulie MacFarlane helped put the match away in the 72nd minute, dribbling down the right side before sending in a cross that Bailey Peterson headed home to make it 3-0.
Utah Valley outshot Tarleton State 21-5, holding a 9-1 edge in shots on goal and a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks. Webber led all players with seven shots, including five on frame. Goalkeeper Leah Wolf notched her third solo shutout of the season with one save.
“I thought we showed great composure,” said Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay. “We couldn’t break them down in the first half, but I was really happy with how we didn’t panic. We stayed true to what we were trying to do, and once we found the first one, we knew we’d have an opportunity to find a couple more. To finish with a shutout on the road in the last regular-season match, and our last-ever WAC regular-season match, is pretty special–especially for our seniors.”
“It’s not an easy feat to go undefeated,” Lemay added. “You’re bound to have a bad day somewhere along the way, but even on our off days, we found ways to get results. That’s a real statement about how committed this group is. They’ve shown up day in and day out, stayed focused, and taken care of business.”
Utah Valley dominated WAC play this season, outscoring league opponents 43-7 while remaining unbeaten in all 10 matches.
The Wolverines now return home to host the 2025 WAC Tournament at UCCU Stadium, opening play on Wednesday night against the fourth-seeded team. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. MT, with all matches streaming live on ESPN+. Tickets are available at GoUVU.com/Tickets.
Volleyball scored sixth straight sweep
Utah Valley University swept California Baptist 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-18) on Saturday afternoon inside Lockhart Arena.
UVU (12-9, 8-1) has won a program-record 18 consecutive sets and six straight matches. Seni Avery Page finished with 12 kills while hitting .524. Sophomore middle blocker Alyvia Jaffa had a career-high 11 total blocks as UVU tallied 16 against CBU (6-15, 2-7). Olivia Melton and Emery DeJong each recorded 13 kills for the Lancers.
The Wolverines honored seniors Page (Lehi), Alyssa Erickson (Gilbert, Ariz.), Naalie Riggs (Gilbert, Ariz.), Bella Wooden (Summerfield, N.C.) and Steliyana Chajarova (Stara Zagora, Bulgaria).
“It’s always tough to play on Senior Day because of all the emotions that come with it, but I was proud of the girls for keeping their focus,” said UVU head coach Sam Atoa. “I will miss these seniors. They all mean so much to me. I was pleased that they all got to play today and play well. We have been very consistent with our offense and defense. I like where we are at, especially as we end the season on the road.”
Utah Valley opened the match with a strong first set. The early stages saw both teams exchanging points before UVU tied it at 3-3 following a CBU attack error. Page was instrumental, contributing multiple kills, including one at 13-10 that helped maintain the lead. She also recorded her 25th career solo block, tying her for ninth all-time in program history. The Wolverines capitalized on a 10-3 run to take a 19-11 advantage behind a combination of CBU errors and blocks from Jaffa and Chakarova. Despite a late push from the Lancers, UVU secured the set 25-18 with a final kill from Wooden, assisted by Evalyn Chism.
Page and Jaffa each contributed key kills as the Wolverines took control early in the second set, scoring six of the first eight points. Wooden added an ace and a kill to extend the lead to 6-2. Melton provided multiple kills to keep CBU within reach, but the Wolverines maintained control with a 9-3 run capped by a Jaffa kill that made it 17-12. Defensively, Sami Blackett and Erickson combined with Wooden for several crucial blocks, including the final point that sealed another 25-18 set win.
Utah Valley carried its momentum into the third set, capitalizing on CBU errors for an early 3-0 lead that included a service ace from Chism. Additional attack errors and blocks against Eleftheria Baxa pushed the Wolverines ahead 8-4. Jaffa and Chism combined for a block on Melton to extend the lead to 11-6. The Lancers cut the deficit to 17-13 behind a kill from Reese Reed, but UVU responded with a 6-1 run to close out the match. Page and Blackett each added key kills down the stretch, while Erickson, Jaffa, and Chism contributed blocks to clinch the final set.
Utah Valley will travel to Texas for two matches next week, starting in Stephenville against Tarleton State on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m. MT, before facing UT Arlington on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 12 p.m. MT.
