The 2026 women's soccer season opened with a tightly contested match in Salt Lake City, where Weber State’s Wildcats faced off against the University of Utah.
Goalkeeper Lauren Butorac stood tall, making seven saves that kept the score level, including a crucial stop on a header from Nevaeh Peregrina and an early strike by Abby Affleck.
Utah’s own net‑minder Anna Solomon also featured, repelling a one‑on‑one chance from Oakley Anderson and a free‑kick attempt by Lily Blum, ensuring the deadlock remained unbroken.
A Defensive Stalemate in the Beehive State
The Wildcats entered the game as preseason favorites to capture the Big Sky Conference and used the home debut — scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Sunday — to showcase their resilience. After the draw, they announced a forthcoming showdown with Boise State, a team that opened its campaign with a 3‑0 victory over CSUN.
Across the state, BYU’s Cougars traveled to Los Angeles and delivered a 2‑1 road win that snapped UCLA’s ten‑game winning streak in season openers. Early in the match, Mattyn Summers‑Oviatt opened the scoring, and rookie Brynnli Tolbert sealed the triumph with the game‑winning goal in her collegiate debut.
Cougars Set Sights on Wisconsin
The victory positions BYU for a much‑anticipated clash with Wisconsin on August 19, a matchup that could further cement the team’s ascent under first‑year head coach Ryan Troy.
Both programs, though separated by geography and conference affiliation, share a common theme: early‑season tests that will shape their narratives as the schedule unfolds.