Upcoming Event: Soccer versus #21 Colorado on October 16, 2025 at 7 p.m.
7 p.m.
Soccer
vs #21 Colorado
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Thursday, October 16
Salt Lake City, Utah
7 p.m.
University of Utah
vs
Colorado
Players Mentioned
Forward
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Forward
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Defender
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Midfielder
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Goalkeeper
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Defender
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Defender
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Midfielder
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Goalkeeper
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Forward
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Midfielder
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Forward
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Midfielder
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Midfielder
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Midfielder/Defender
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#21 Colorado, #10 Baylor Present Pair of Challenges for Utah Soccer
10/12/2025 6:26 PM | Soccer
Utes to clash with two ranked foes in one week
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah women's soccer team has spent the last nine days building up momentum for the stretch run by earning a pair of road wins over conference foes and now they'll be tasked with maintaining those good vibes against two of the toughest opponents on the program's 2025 schedule.
The first challenge will take place at Ute Field in Salt Lake City on Thursday, when the Utes are scheduled to entertain the No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes at 7 p.m., followed on Sunday with a trip to Betty Lou Mays Field in Waco, Texas to tangle with the No. 10 Baylor Bears at 12 p.m.
Last Time Out
In each of those two recent road victories, the Utes benefitted from outstanding goalkeeping and defense and Utah currently haven't allowed a goal in nearly four hours of playing time. They've also held nine of their last 13 opponents to a single-digit shot total, with the opposition registering fewer than three on-target efforts in eight of those instances.
Coach Hideki Nakada's back line was at its best against Arizona on Friday, holding the Wildcats without a single shot on goal, the first time the Utes accomplished that since 2022. That stellar defense meant that Bella Woods' second-minute strike was the only scoring Utah needed to claim another road triumph, boosting their ledger away from home to 4-3-1.
On Thursday, the Utes will be aiming for their first win over a ranked squad since they knocked off No. 18 Arizona State in 2023. They'll also be looking for their first win over the Buffaloes since a 1-0 decision in 2019.
Scouting the Buffaloes
The Buffaloes have already secured their third consecutive season with at least 10 wins and seem on track for a third straight berth in the NCAA Tournament. A major reason for that success has been an offense that has scored the most goals and owns the highest scoring average in the Big 12. Colorado has only been shutout twice so far in 2025 and they've recorded at least three goals in nearly half their matches.
No program in the country has gotten more goals out of its top two scorers than Colorado, with Hope Leyba's 14 putting her second in the nation and Jace Holley adding 10, tying her for ninth. Both players have converted more than half their shots on goal into scores and Leyba's exploits have earned her two Big 12 Player of the Week awards.
Scouting the Bears
Baylor's 5-1 league mark has them sitting at the top of the conference table and they haven't lost since their league opener on Sept. 19. They started that run with three consecutive shutouts before pocketing wins over Colorado and BYU in their most recent fixtures. Before hosting the Utes, the Bears will be trying to extend that streak when they travel to play TCU on Thursday.
For coach Michelle Lenard, defense has been her team's calling card and her 2025 squad has permitted only six goals in 13 matches. In goal, Azul Alvarez has crafted the Big 12's best save percentage at .878 to go with eight clean sheets, tied for third most in Division I. The team's 4-2 victory over BYU on Friday was the first time the Alvarez and the Bears conceded multiple times during the current campaign.
Senior Class
The Utes have plenty of experience on their roster, which includes seven seniors, Erin Gibbs, Brooklyn Blaylock, Alex Schoenstadt, Kelly Bullock, Ryann Cull, Sophie Bellini and Ali Swensen, and three graduate students, Devi Dudley, Grace Watkins and Ava Hetzel.
Blaylock, Bullock and Cull are all entering their fourth season at Utah and have appeared in 158 total matches during their collegiate careers. Blaylock and Cull have been fixtures on the back line for the Utes, combining for 78 starts, while Bullock is coming off an all-conference season and will add to her total of 52 starts from 2022-24.
Schoenstadt came to Salt Lake City in time for the start of the 2023 season and will be back in action after an injury knocked her out for 2024. Gibbs, Dudley, Watkins and Hetzel are all in their second year with the Utes while Swensen and Bellini will be in their initial Utah campaign.
New Utes
Bellini and Swensen are two of 12 new players Hideki Nakada added to his roster during the offseason, a group comprised of two seniors, one sophomore and nine freshman. Malaspina is the newest addition to the goalkeeper room after starting her career at UC Colorado Springs and defender Madison Encinas also came out of the portal after spending a redshirt year at Baylor.
From the prep ranks, the Utes added goalkeeper Emeline McClenahan, defender Reese Kennel, midfielder and defender Mimi Yamamoto, midfielders Shannon Davidson, Eliza Smith and Addison Lockerby and forwards Julia Oka and Abby Affleck.
Oh Captains, My Captains
Utah will be led by its three graduate students this season. Devi Dudley, Grace Watkins and Ava Hetzel will serve as the team's three captains during the 2025 campaign. The trio has combined to play in 245 collegiate games.
Coaches Corner
Last season, head coach Hideki Nakada hired a pair of new assistant coaches in Travis Smith and Jackie Poortinga. The two return for their second seasons with Utah in 2025 and will be joined by new assistant coach Sam Gomez.
Gomez brings with him a wealth of experience that includes time as the Girls Director of Coaching at the Utah Athletic Academy and head coach of the girls soccer team at Highland High School. Gomez has also honed his skills as a coach at Port Orchard FC, Impact United and Kitsap Alliance FC.
Prior to moving into the coaching ranks, he played professionally in the Honduran 1st Division with Real CD Espana, as well as with San Diego 1904 FC in the NISA. This followed a collegiate career at Cal State University Bakersfield, where he was an academic all-conference selection and earned a degree in Kinesiology.
NCAA Tournament History
The Utes enter 2025 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.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
The first challenge will take place at Ute Field in Salt Lake City on Thursday, when the Utes are scheduled to entertain the No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes at 7 p.m., followed on Sunday with a trip to Betty Lou Mays Field in Waco, Texas to tangle with the No. 10 Baylor Bears at 12 p.m.
| THUSDAY'S MATCHUP Date | Time: Thursday, Oct. 16 | 7:00 p.m. (MT) Utah (7-5-3, 2-2-2) vs. Colorado (10-2-2, 4-1-1) Location: Salt Lake City | Ute Field Live Stats: Click Here Live Stream: ESPN+ Twitter Updates: @UtahWSoccer |
SUNDAY' MATCHUP Date | Time: Sunday, Oct. 19 | 12:00 p.m. (MT) Utah (7-5-3, 1-2-2) vs. Baylor (10-1-2, 5-1-0) Location: Waco, Texas | Betty Lou Mays Field Live Stats: Click Here Live Stream: ESPN+ Twitter Updates: @UtahWSoccer |
Last Time Out
In each of those two recent road victories, the Utes benefitted from outstanding goalkeeping and defense and Utah currently haven't allowed a goal in nearly four hours of playing time. They've also held nine of their last 13 opponents to a single-digit shot total, with the opposition registering fewer than three on-target efforts in eight of those instances.
Coach Hideki Nakada's back line was at its best against Arizona on Friday, holding the Wildcats without a single shot on goal, the first time the Utes accomplished that since 2022. That stellar defense meant that Bella Woods' second-minute strike was the only scoring Utah needed to claim another road triumph, boosting their ledger away from home to 4-3-1.
On Thursday, the Utes will be aiming for their first win over a ranked squad since they knocked off No. 18 Arizona State in 2023. They'll also be looking for their first win over the Buffaloes since a 1-0 decision in 2019.
Scouting the Buffaloes
The Buffaloes have already secured their third consecutive season with at least 10 wins and seem on track for a third straight berth in the NCAA Tournament. A major reason for that success has been an offense that has scored the most goals and owns the highest scoring average in the Big 12. Colorado has only been shutout twice so far in 2025 and they've recorded at least three goals in nearly half their matches.
No program in the country has gotten more goals out of its top two scorers than Colorado, with Hope Leyba's 14 putting her second in the nation and Jace Holley adding 10, tying her for ninth. Both players have converted more than half their shots on goal into scores and Leyba's exploits have earned her two Big 12 Player of the Week awards.
Scouting the Bears
Baylor's 5-1 league mark has them sitting at the top of the conference table and they haven't lost since their league opener on Sept. 19. They started that run with three consecutive shutouts before pocketing wins over Colorado and BYU in their most recent fixtures. Before hosting the Utes, the Bears will be trying to extend that streak when they travel to play TCU on Thursday.
For coach Michelle Lenard, defense has been her team's calling card and her 2025 squad has permitted only six goals in 13 matches. In goal, Azul Alvarez has crafted the Big 12's best save percentage at .878 to go with eight clean sheets, tied for third most in Division I. The team's 4-2 victory over BYU on Friday was the first time the Alvarez and the Bears conceded multiple times during the current campaign.
Senior Class
The Utes have plenty of experience on their roster, which includes seven seniors, Erin Gibbs, Brooklyn Blaylock, Alex Schoenstadt, Kelly Bullock, Ryann Cull, Sophie Bellini and Ali Swensen, and three graduate students, Devi Dudley, Grace Watkins and Ava Hetzel.
Blaylock, Bullock and Cull are all entering their fourth season at Utah and have appeared in 158 total matches during their collegiate careers. Blaylock and Cull have been fixtures on the back line for the Utes, combining for 78 starts, while Bullock is coming off an all-conference season and will add to her total of 52 starts from 2022-24.
Schoenstadt came to Salt Lake City in time for the start of the 2023 season and will be back in action after an injury knocked her out for 2024. Gibbs, Dudley, Watkins and Hetzel are all in their second year with the Utes while Swensen and Bellini will be in their initial Utah campaign.
New Utes
Bellini and Swensen are two of 12 new players Hideki Nakada added to his roster during the offseason, a group comprised of two seniors, one sophomore and nine freshman. Malaspina is the newest addition to the goalkeeper room after starting her career at UC Colorado Springs and defender Madison Encinas also came out of the portal after spending a redshirt year at Baylor.
From the prep ranks, the Utes added goalkeeper Emeline McClenahan, defender Reese Kennel, midfielder and defender Mimi Yamamoto, midfielders Shannon Davidson, Eliza Smith and Addison Lockerby and forwards Julia Oka and Abby Affleck.
Oh Captains, My Captains
Utah will be led by its three graduate students this season. Devi Dudley, Grace Watkins and Ava Hetzel will serve as the team's three captains during the 2025 campaign. The trio has combined to play in 245 collegiate games.
Coaches Corner
Last season, head coach Hideki Nakada hired a pair of new assistant coaches in Travis Smith and Jackie Poortinga. The two return for their second seasons with Utah in 2025 and will be joined by new assistant coach Sam Gomez.
Gomez brings with him a wealth of experience that includes time as the Girls Director of Coaching at the Utah Athletic Academy and head coach of the girls soccer team at Highland High School. Gomez has also honed his skills as a coach at Port Orchard FC, Impact United and Kitsap Alliance FC.
Prior to moving into the coaching ranks, he played professionally in the Honduran 1st Division with Real CD Espana, as well as with San Diego 1904 FC in the NISA. This followed a collegiate career at Cal State University Bakersfield, where he was an academic all-conference selection and earned a degree in Kinesiology.
NCAA Tournament History
The Utes enter 2025 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.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWSoccer | Instagram: @UtahWSoccer | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahwsoccer).
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