Utah Valley women’s soccer upsets No. 17 Kansas
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- The Utah Valley women’s soccer team celebrates scoring a goal against Kansas in a women’s college soccer match at UCCU Stadium on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
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- Utah Valley’s Tess Livingston (3) heads a ball during a women’s college soccer match against Kansas at UCCU Stadium on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Utah Valley scored two goals in a span of just 1:24 late in the first half to rally from an early deficit and knock off No. 17/14 Kansas, 2-1, on Thursday night at UCCU Stadium.
The win is Utah Valley’s first of the season as the Wolverines improve to 1-2-1 overall. Kansas falls to 3-2-0.
“I’m super proud of the players’ performance and their commitment level,” Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay said. “We were challenged in a number of different ways tonight, and I feel like we stepped up and met every challenge.”
Kansas struck first in the 15th minute. Livvy Moore sent a corner kick into the box, where Jillian Gregorski headed the ball into the net to give the Jayhawks a 1-0 advantage.
The Wolverines found the equalizer in the 36th minute. Nixan Jackson received the ball outside the right side of the box, dribbled into the area and made a move around a Kansas defender before sending a left-footed cross toward goal. Malia Jessop got her head on the service and put it into the back of the net to even the match at 1-1.
Just 1:24 later, Sadie Beardall gave Utah Valley the lead. Beardall pressured the Kansas back line and blocked a pass in front of the box before racing the Jayhawk goalkeeper to the loose ball. Beardall got her foot on it as the two collided, sending the ball into the net for a 2-1 UVU advantage in the 38th minute.
“Malia came in off the bench and put her head on a big ball, and then Sadie Beardall was super brave,” Lemay said. “Unbelievable pressure put her in the fortunate situation that she found herself in to tuck that one away.”
The Utah Valley defense made the lead stand over the final 52 minutes despite sustained pressure from the nationally ranked Jayhawks. Kansas finished with a 16-7 advantage in shots and a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. The Jayhawks also held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Kate Shirts led the Wolverines with two shots, while five other UVU players recorded one apiece.
Madeleine Boucher made four saves in goal to secure the victory, while Tess Livingston played all 90 minutes on the back line.
“I thought Madeleine did unbelievable as a freshman in goal,” Lemay said. “I thought Tess stepped up, played 90 minutes and was solid in the back. Overall, I’m just so pleased for the players.”
Utah Valley now travels to Hawaii for the OUTRIGGER No Ka Oi, where the Wolverines will take on Washington State on Sept. 3 and New Mexico State on Sept. 6. UVU then returns home to host San Diego State on Sept. 12.
