Heading into the top-of-the-table showdown, Utah Valley held a one-point lead over CBU in the WAC standings after previously defeating the Lancers, 7-1, earlier this season in Orem. With Saturday’s win, the Wolverines (9-4-2, 5-0-1 WAC) strengthen their hold atop the league standings with 16 points–four clear of second-place CBU (12 points)–and remain unbeaten in WAC regular-season play since Oct. 8, 2022.

“I thought Cal Baptist made some really good adjustments from the first time we played them,” said Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay. “They were organized and brought a lot of energy. I’m just really proud of our team for how composed and mature we were after going down a goal. We didn’t put our heads down–we stayed resilient and kept playing our brand of soccer. I felt comfortable that one was coming, and I felt even more comfortable that we’d find the winner. Both came true.”

After conceding a goal early in the second half, UVU found its equalizer in dramatic fashion. In the 77th minute, Tylie Miller sent a driven cross into the box from the right side, where Marie Quentel rose above the defense to head home the tying goal at 77:07.

Just 40 seconds later, Mia Owens broke free down the left flank, beating two CBU defenders before delivering a sharp pass across the face of goal. Ruby Hladek was there to slot it home with her left foot at 77:47, capping the Wolverines’ stunning turnaround and giving UVU a 2-1 lead it would not relinquish.

“I thought we were good the whole night, even when we were down,” Lemay added. “The energy within the group was great, and I felt like we were always going to find a way. It’s a big win for us, and it feels really good to finally get our first win here.”

Utah Valley outshot CBU 15-9 overall and held a commanding 10-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Wolverines also earned seven corner kicks to the Lancers’ four. Hladek led the attack with six shots, including a match-high four on frame, while Quentel tallied three and Faith Webber and Jacey Wood each recorded two. Leah Wolf made two saves in goal to preserve the win.

The Wolverines now return home to Orem for back-to-back in-state WAC matchups, hosting Southern Utah on Thursday, Oct. 23, and Utah Tech on Monday, Oct. 27, at UCCU Stadium. Tickets are available at GoUVU.com/Tickets.

Cal Baptist downs men’s soccer, 4-1

Utah Valley dropped its first home game of the season, falling to the California Baptist Lancers, 4-1 on Saturday at UCCU Stadium.

A spirited game from start to finish between the WAC’s top two teams in the RPI, the Wolverines and Lancers combined for six yellow cards and three red cards, finishing the game playing nine against 10.

CBU got on the board first in the 13th minute when Tizian Marth and Nicholas Coope combined on a one-two feed, with Marth finding the back of the net.

Utah Valley equalized shortly after when Elijah Gozo was fouled in the box. As a Lancer defender was winding up to boot a clearance downfield, Gozo stepped between the man and the ball, taking a boot to the calf. Nil Grau converted the spot kick to bring things to level terms.

The Lancers took the lead for good in the 30th minute when Felix Ezekwuka fought his way through the Wolverine defense and fired a shot into the top-right corner.

Gozo had a chance just after the intermission to equalize, but his shot in the 47th minute went across the face of goal untouched.

The Lancers doubled their lead in the 50th minute with Stavros Charalampous scoring.

The first red of the night was dished out to Jaret Rocha in the 57th minute following a tangle near the corner flag.

A VAR review took place in the 66th minute for a possible penalty for the Wolverines, but nothing came from it.

Another scuffle in the 71st minute resulted in Gilles Aurelien and CBU’s Adolfo Pino being sent off.

Marth secured his brace in the 83rd minute to put the game on ice.

Utah Valley will travel to Las Vegas for its next game on Thursday to face the UNLV Rebels. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MDT, and the game will be streamed live on WAC International.

Women’s volleyball sweeps SUU

Utah Valley University swept Southern Utah University, 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-14), on Saturday afternoon at the America First Event Center. UVU (9-9, 5-1) used a balanced offensive attack led by Alyssa Erickson, who finished with eight kills on 13 swings (.462), and sophomore middle blocker Alyvia Jaffa added six kills on eight attempts (.625) to get past SUU (2-15, 1-5).

Nine different Wolverines recorded kills in the match, which included five kills from Madi Standifird and one kill each from Maranda Woolf and Lauren Feiler, all of whom came in off the bench. Bella Wooden finished with six blocks to lead UVU while also adding five kills in the match. Setter Evalyn Chism helped run the offense, finishing with 28 assists in the match.

Utah Valley opened the match with steady play, quickly equalizing after an initial Southern Utah point. Erickson’s early kill set the tone, while the team capitalized on Southern Utah’s errors to keep the score tight. A key moment came as UVU tied the set at 5-5 with a block by Steliyana Chakarova and Jaffa.

As the set progressed, UVU gained momentum with a series of crucial plays, including kills by Jaffa and Wooden, allowing them to take an 8-7 lead. A service ace by Avery Page helped extend this advantage as UVU surged ahead to a 17-12 lead. Page and Wooden were instrumental, contributing significant points through both attack and defense. The match also marked a milestone for Wooden and Blackett, who both played in their 50th career matches. Despite a late rally from Southern Utah narrowing the gap to 23-20, UVU maintained composure. A block by Page and Wooden secured the final point, closing the set with a 25-20 victory.

Utah Valley opened the second set by capitalizing on Southern Utah’s errors and establishing an early lead. Notable contributions came from Erickson, who delivered key kills assisted by Chism. Southern Utah managed to keep the score close early on, but Utah Valley pulled away with a sequence of points, including a decisive block from Blackett and Wooden.

As the set progressed, Utah Valley’s offensive efforts were bolstered by the combined play of Jaffa and Page, who added significant kills to widen the margin. The team continued to pressure Southern Utah, converting errors into points and executing a balanced attack. Utah Valley closed the set with a strong performance, culminating in a kill by Erickson to seal a 25-17 victory.

Utah Valley initiated the third set with a strong opening, taking a 3-0 lead with contributions from Standifird and an ace by Chism. The early momentum continued as Utah Valley capitalized on Southern Utah’s errors, extending its lead to 7-2 with a kill by Blackett and a block by Wooden.

Midway through the set, Utah Valley maintained its edge, reaching a 10-3 advantage. The visitors’ defense, led by Woolf, who had two blocks in her season debut, forced multiple errors from Southern Utah, pushing the score to 15-5. Standifird and Blackett continued to execute effectively, increasing the lead to 19-9.

In the closing stages, Utah Valley’s consistent pressure paid off, with Erickson and Woolf adding crucial points. Utah Valley closed the set decisively at 25-14, securing the set win.

Utah Valley will play its first match of the season inside Lockhart Arena on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. MT. The match will be UVU’s annual Lori Richards Memorial Pink Match. Following UT Arlington’s win over Utah Tech today, the winner of the match will have sole possession of first place in the WAC.