- Utah Valley women's soccer won 2-0 against Utah at UCCU Stadium's debut.
- Senior goalkeeper Leah Wolf achieved a career-best 10 saves for a shutout.
- Ruby Hladek and Nixan Jackson scored early goals securing the Wolverines' victory.
OREM — Fall sports are underway, and so is the debut of UCCU Stadium, the new $30 million, 22,000-square-foot home of Utah Valley University soccer.
The Wolverines christened the facility with a 2-0 victory over in-state rival Utah (1-1), opening the season 1-0 in front of 4,116 fans. The win marked Utah Valley's second straight win against the Utes, improving the all-time series to 2-7-1.
It was a career night for senior goalkeeper Leah Wolf, who tallied a career-best 10 saves while posting the shutout. The shutout is a notable feat for a program that struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard last season.
"I'm really excited about the shutout. I thought Leah was fantastic," head coach Chris Lemay said. "But I thought a lot of our team defending was good at times. Utah earned a lot of corner kicks and we had to defend set pieces all night long. I thought the second half was a better reflection of what we are and who we are."
Utah Valley wasted no time breaking in its new home. Just two minutes in, senior Ruby Hladek found the back of the net for the first goal in stadium history. In the 15th minute, junior striker Nixan Jackson doubled the lead after exploiting a gap in Utah's defense.
Jackson, now in her third season at Utah Valley, has scored eight career goals and continues to be a focal point of Lemay's attack.
"Nixan is a handful for anybody," Lemay said. "She is really crafty one-on-one and can finish."
From there, the Wolverines' attack quieted, but their back line and Wolf kept the Utes from finding much rhythm.
"These players have worked really hard and they deserve it," Lemay said. "They earned it. It was a great crowd and an unbelievable facility."
Wolf echoed the excitement, crediting both the stadium and her teammates.
"It feels like this (stadium) should have always been here, but every time we step out here we have to earn our place," she said. "Get the shutout, get the goals early, then get the win and celebrate."
Despite leading in total shots (28–15) and corner kicks (15–3), Utah couldn't solve Wolf, who made four fingertip saves in the opening half alone.
The Wolverines now turn their attention to another Big 12 foe, traveling to Kansas to face the Jayhawks. Utah will look to bounce back Thursday in its home opener against Westminster.
