A New Era in the Big West
The Utah Valley men's soccer program is gearing up for its inaugural Big West Conference campaign in 2026, bringing back a core group of veterans while integrating a wave of experienced newcomers.
Head coach Michael Chesler will rely on six returning starters and a total of 12 players from the 2025 roster, complemented by 11 fresh faces who each logged at least two years of collegiate experience.
Among the returnees, senior goalkeeper Kolby Sessions looks to build on a historic 2025 campaign that saw him tie the single‑season shutouts record and rank among the nation’s best in save percentage (.778) and goals‑against average (0.73).
Center back Toke Amtrup stands out as the only player to start every match last year, having logged 1,273 of a possible 1,350 minutes and anchoring a defense that posted a .966 team fielding percentage.
The attack will be led by three of the team’s top scorers from 2025: Nil Grau (5 goals, 2 assists), Noah Pogue (4 goals, 2 assists) and Jose Luis Martin Montealegre (2 goals, 5 assists).
Owen Knecht, the 2022 WAC Freshman of the Year, returns after completing a two‑year missionary service in Paraguay, adding depth and creativity to the midfield.
The incoming class features several high‑profile additions, including Adem Arous, an NJCAA national champion midfielder from Indian Hills CC, and Edgar Correia, a transfer from Central Arkansas who brings a pedigree from Portugal’s Benfica academy and connections to current players João Neves and Antonio Silva.
Beyond soccer, the university’s other programs are also celebrating recent successes. The volleyball team received its 2025 WAC championship rings, while softball coach Cody Thomson secured an extension through 2028 after guiding the program to a historic season marked by a .966 fielding percentage and 13‑5 wins in‑state.
Seena Namdar was recently promoted to Director of Recruiting for UVU men’s basketball, a role that contributed to the team’s back‑to‑back WAC championships.