Upcoming Event: Soccer at TCU on September 19, 2025 at 6 p.m.
6 p.m.
Soccer
at TCU
Saturday, September 9
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
Brigham Young
Photo by: Liv Medivitz/Utah Athletics
Utah Soccer Preparing for Clash with No. 1 BYU
9/7/2023 11:43 AM | Soccer
Utes to take on nation’s No. 1 team for fourth time in program history
SALT LAKE CITY – For the fourth time in the program's history, the University of Utah women's soccer team is preparing to square off with the nation's No. 1 team and that matchup will occur on Saturday night when the Utes host the No. 1 BYU Cougars at 7 p.m. at Ute Field.
Utah's last meeting with the squad placed atop the national rankings came in 2018, when they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Stanford Cardinal. The Utes are 0-3 all-time against No. 1, with their loftiest conquest being a 1-0 victory over No. 2 Florida in 2003.
Game Day Promotions
All fans attending Saturday's match are encouraged to wear red and help red out Ute Field. The first 300 fans through the doors will receive a red rally towel. This contest will also serve as MUSS Appreciation Day and students can participate in games and poster making outside the main gate and there will be food from Wingstop for the first 150 MUSS members.
Scouting BYU
No team has been able to solve the riddle of the 2023 Cougars through six fixtures and coach Jennifer Rockwood has seen her squad outscore its opponents 22-6 while posting a 110-82 advantage in shot attempts. The Saint Louis Billikens, who suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Cougars in August, are the only team that has tallied multiple goals against BYU so far in 2023.
Offensively, the Cougars have at least one player in the top 10 in the Big XII in goals, assists, points, shots and shots on goal and they're currently tied for fourth in the conference in scoring. Sophomore forward Erin Bailey represents BYU in the top 10 in four of those five statistics, including goals, where her total of five has her tied for sixth. Bailey collected two of those tallies in her team's most recent outing, a 6-1 romp over Utah Valley on Saturday.
In the assist column, only Texas' Lexi Missimo has accumulated more helpers than BYU's Kendall Petersen, who owns six. Petersen is one of 11 Cougars who has contributed at least one assist to her team's cause during the current campaign and she has already bested her past career-high of four, which she achieved in 2021. She has also made it on to the scoresheet in five of her team's six matches.
All Time Against BYU
No team has appeared on Utah's schedule more frequently than their rivals from Provo, who also can claim a 25-7-3 edge in the all-time series. The Cougars have added to that advantage by winning six of the last eight meetings between these squads, while Utah hasn't earned a triumph in the rivalry since 2014. The last time these programs matched up at Ute Field came in 2021 and ended in a scoreless draw.
Last Time Against BYU
The 2022 edition of Red vs. Blue was a heart-stopping affair in Provo that was scoreless for the first 77 minutes until Olivia Wade put the home team on the board in the 78th minute. Ryann Cull's first collegiate goal knotted the score in the 88th minute, but 53 seconds later, Wade found the back of the net again with the winning tally.
Keeping an Eye on Courtney
Courtney Brown has already racked up seven points through the Utes' first six games, the first Ute to accomplish that since Paola van der Veen also accumulated seven points through Utah's first six matches in 2018. Brown's stat line includes three assists, giving her 14 in her Utah career. Two more will tie her for fifth in program history.
Looking at the Pac-12 Leaderboard
One glance at the Pac-12's statistical leaderboard will uncover several Utes in the top five in various categories. Courtney Brown and Kennedy Schoennauer are tied for third in the league in assists, each with three, while Katie O'Kane's 20 shots are also good enough for a share of third. Goalkeeper Kasey Wardle is alone in third place in the conference in save percentage.
Bullock's Early Breakthrough
Kelly Bullock put the Utes on the board in the third minute in what became a 5-0 trouncing of Utah Valley on Aug. 30. Bullock's score at the 2:21 mark goes down as the program's earliest goal since Natalie Vukic's tally 40 seconds into a match against Utah State in 2017.
First Half Fireworks
Utah's attack was also responsible for three first period tallies in their rout of the Wolverines. Those three first half scores represented their highest total in the opening 45 minutes since they scored four times in the first half against North Dakota State on Aug. 27, 2017.
A New Career-High for Kasey
Kasey Wardle recorded her second clean sheet of the season by making seven saves against UVU. That represented a new career-high for the sophomore keeper, besting her previous mark of five, set in 2022 against Arizona State.
Back Line Brilliance
The Utes allowed only two goals through three matches, the fewest goals they've permitted since they also held their first three opponents to only two scores in 2014. That season was also the last time the Utes recorded three clean sheets in their first five contests.
Ring the Bella
Bella Woods tallied Utah's first goal of the season in the team's Aug. 17 meeting with N.C. State. That made her the first Utah freshman to register the program's season-opening score since Erin Dalley in 2007. Woods also picked up an assist in the Utes' win over College of Charleston.
NCAA Tournament History
The Utes are aiming to reach the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in school history and the first time since 2019. Utah put together its best postseason finish in 2016, when they forged a path all the way to the Sweet 16.
By The Numbers
The list of players back in the fold for Hideki Nakada's club includes just about all of the team's statistical leaders from 2022. Taliana Kaufusi, who piled up a team-high six goals, is back for her senior campaign, while assist leader Ryann Cull has returned after collecting four helpers a season ago. Kaufusi also led the squad in shots in 2022 with 41, followed by fellow returners Katie O'Kane, who racked up 28, and Courtney Brown, who posted 26.
In goal, all four of Utah's keepers, Evelyn Vitali, Kasey Wardle, Megan Quiggle and Taylor Prigge, are back for another season. No one on the roster collected more saves than Vitali's 48 in 2022, while Wardle crafted a 0.70 goals against average. Utah's keepers combined to record seven shutouts a season ago.
Senior Six
Utah's six-person senior class is comprised of Courtney Brown, Brooke Hale, Katie O'Kane, Taliana Kaufusi, Megan Quiggle and Ragan Vanschalkwyk. This group has combined to take the field in over 200 matches for the Utes and Brown is the one player remaining from the 2019 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament.
New Utes
Utah's 2023 roster includes seven new faces and that list of newcomers is comprised of freshmen Kennedy Schoennauer, Lilliah Blum, Bella Woods, Rylan Park, Mia Becarevic and Izzy Smith and sophomore transfer Alex Schoenstadt.
Woods, Becarevic and Smith were all part of an Alta High School squad that made a run to the state playoffs in 2022, while Schoennauer helped her squad capture the CCA Division II Championship, Blum was named her conference's player of the year and Park was an all-league selection.
Schoenstadt played her freshman season with Ole Miss and helped the Rebels achieve a winning record, as well as record nine clean sheets.
Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll
The Pac-12 released its preseason coaches poll on Aug. 14 and the UCLA Bruins garnered nine first place votes and landed in the top spot in the poll. The Utes were ranked 10th.
2023 Season Tickets
Season tickets for the 2023 season are now available. Fans can purchase season tickets for $35.00 by calling the Utah ticket office at 801-581-UTIX or visit www.utahtickets.com. Utah soccer team scarfs available as a $10.00 add-on.
Up Next
After tangling with the Cougars, the Utes will make the short trip to Ogden, Utah on Sept. 14 for a 7 p.m. battle with Weber State.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
Utah's last meeting with the squad placed atop the national rankings came in 2018, when they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Stanford Cardinal. The Utes are 0-3 all-time against No. 1, with their loftiest conquest being a 1-0 victory over No. 2 Florida in 2003.
| SATURDAY'S MATCHUP Date | Time: Saturday, Sept. 9 | 7:00 p.m. No. 1 BYU (6-0-0) vs. Utah (3-1-2) Location: Salt Lake City | Ute Field Live Stats: Click Here Live Stream: Click Here Twitter Updates: @UtahWSoccer |
Game Day Promotions
All fans attending Saturday's match are encouraged to wear red and help red out Ute Field. The first 300 fans through the doors will receive a red rally towel. This contest will also serve as MUSS Appreciation Day and students can participate in games and poster making outside the main gate and there will be food from Wingstop for the first 150 MUSS members.
Scouting BYU
No team has been able to solve the riddle of the 2023 Cougars through six fixtures and coach Jennifer Rockwood has seen her squad outscore its opponents 22-6 while posting a 110-82 advantage in shot attempts. The Saint Louis Billikens, who suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Cougars in August, are the only team that has tallied multiple goals against BYU so far in 2023.
Offensively, the Cougars have at least one player in the top 10 in the Big XII in goals, assists, points, shots and shots on goal and they're currently tied for fourth in the conference in scoring. Sophomore forward Erin Bailey represents BYU in the top 10 in four of those five statistics, including goals, where her total of five has her tied for sixth. Bailey collected two of those tallies in her team's most recent outing, a 6-1 romp over Utah Valley on Saturday.
In the assist column, only Texas' Lexi Missimo has accumulated more helpers than BYU's Kendall Petersen, who owns six. Petersen is one of 11 Cougars who has contributed at least one assist to her team's cause during the current campaign and she has already bested her past career-high of four, which she achieved in 2021. She has also made it on to the scoresheet in five of her team's six matches.
All Time Against BYU
No team has appeared on Utah's schedule more frequently than their rivals from Provo, who also can claim a 25-7-3 edge in the all-time series. The Cougars have added to that advantage by winning six of the last eight meetings between these squads, while Utah hasn't earned a triumph in the rivalry since 2014. The last time these programs matched up at Ute Field came in 2021 and ended in a scoreless draw.
Last Time Against BYU
The 2022 edition of Red vs. Blue was a heart-stopping affair in Provo that was scoreless for the first 77 minutes until Olivia Wade put the home team on the board in the 78th minute. Ryann Cull's first collegiate goal knotted the score in the 88th minute, but 53 seconds later, Wade found the back of the net again with the winning tally.
Keeping an Eye on Courtney
Courtney Brown has already racked up seven points through the Utes' first six games, the first Ute to accomplish that since Paola van der Veen also accumulated seven points through Utah's first six matches in 2018. Brown's stat line includes three assists, giving her 14 in her Utah career. Two more will tie her for fifth in program history.
Looking at the Pac-12 Leaderboard
One glance at the Pac-12's statistical leaderboard will uncover several Utes in the top five in various categories. Courtney Brown and Kennedy Schoennauer are tied for third in the league in assists, each with three, while Katie O'Kane's 20 shots are also good enough for a share of third. Goalkeeper Kasey Wardle is alone in third place in the conference in save percentage.
Bullock's Early Breakthrough
Kelly Bullock put the Utes on the board in the third minute in what became a 5-0 trouncing of Utah Valley on Aug. 30. Bullock's score at the 2:21 mark goes down as the program's earliest goal since Natalie Vukic's tally 40 seconds into a match against Utah State in 2017.
First Half Fireworks
Utah's attack was also responsible for three first period tallies in their rout of the Wolverines. Those three first half scores represented their highest total in the opening 45 minutes since they scored four times in the first half against North Dakota State on Aug. 27, 2017.
A New Career-High for Kasey
Kasey Wardle recorded her second clean sheet of the season by making seven saves against UVU. That represented a new career-high for the sophomore keeper, besting her previous mark of five, set in 2022 against Arizona State.
Back Line Brilliance
The Utes allowed only two goals through three matches, the fewest goals they've permitted since they also held their first three opponents to only two scores in 2014. That season was also the last time the Utes recorded three clean sheets in their first five contests.
Ring the Bella
Bella Woods tallied Utah's first goal of the season in the team's Aug. 17 meeting with N.C. State. That made her the first Utah freshman to register the program's season-opening score since Erin Dalley in 2007. Woods also picked up an assist in the Utes' win over College of Charleston.
NCAA Tournament History
The Utes are aiming to reach the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in school history and the first time since 2019. Utah put together its best postseason finish in 2016, when they forged a path all the way to the Sweet 16.
By The Numbers
The list of players back in the fold for Hideki Nakada's club includes just about all of the team's statistical leaders from 2022. Taliana Kaufusi, who piled up a team-high six goals, is back for her senior campaign, while assist leader Ryann Cull has returned after collecting four helpers a season ago. Kaufusi also led the squad in shots in 2022 with 41, followed by fellow returners Katie O'Kane, who racked up 28, and Courtney Brown, who posted 26.
In goal, all four of Utah's keepers, Evelyn Vitali, Kasey Wardle, Megan Quiggle and Taylor Prigge, are back for another season. No one on the roster collected more saves than Vitali's 48 in 2022, while Wardle crafted a 0.70 goals against average. Utah's keepers combined to record seven shutouts a season ago.
Senior Six
Utah's six-person senior class is comprised of Courtney Brown, Brooke Hale, Katie O'Kane, Taliana Kaufusi, Megan Quiggle and Ragan Vanschalkwyk. This group has combined to take the field in over 200 matches for the Utes and Brown is the one player remaining from the 2019 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament.
New Utes
Utah's 2023 roster includes seven new faces and that list of newcomers is comprised of freshmen Kennedy Schoennauer, Lilliah Blum, Bella Woods, Rylan Park, Mia Becarevic and Izzy Smith and sophomore transfer Alex Schoenstadt.
Woods, Becarevic and Smith were all part of an Alta High School squad that made a run to the state playoffs in 2022, while Schoennauer helped her squad capture the CCA Division II Championship, Blum was named her conference's player of the year and Park was an all-league selection.
Schoenstadt played her freshman season with Ole Miss and helped the Rebels achieve a winning record, as well as record nine clean sheets.
Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll
The Pac-12 released its preseason coaches poll on Aug. 14 and the UCLA Bruins garnered nine first place votes and landed in the top spot in the poll. The Utes were ranked 10th.
2023 Season Tickets
Season tickets for the 2023 season are now available. Fans can purchase season tickets for $35.00 by calling the Utah ticket office at 801-581-UTIX or visit www.utahtickets.com. Utah soccer team scarfs available as a $10.00 add-on.
Up Next
After tangling with the Cougars, the Utes will make the short trip to Ogden, Utah on Sept. 14 for a 7 p.m. battle with Weber State.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
###
Players Mentioned
DEF
/ Soccer
MID
/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Forward
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Forward
/ Soccer
Forward
/ Soccer
MID
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
FOR
/ Soccer
FOR
/ Soccer
FOR
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
MID
/ SoccerUtah Soccer's Ava Hetzel - ESPN+ Feature
Monday, September 08
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Ron McBride
Wednesday, September 03
Utah Women's Soccer Head Coach Hideki Nakada heads into his 5th year - ESPN+ Feature
Tuesday, September 02
Utah Soccer's Kelly Bullock - ESPN+ Feature
Tuesday, September 02