The University of Utah women's soccer team opened its 2026 campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, improving to a 2-0-1 record early in the season.
Goalkeeper Anna Solomon was the centerpiece of the performance, recording her third consecutive clean sheet and joining Lindsey Luke as one of only two Utah keepers to start a season with three straight shutouts.
Early Offensive Surge
From the opening whistle the Utes asserted control, generating eight shots in the first 35 minutes while Southern Utah managed just one. Brooke Gardner broke the deadlock in the 30th minute, slipping a ball past Tatum Trout to put Utah ahead.
The momentum carried into the second half, where Julia Oka found the net after a precise assist from Nevaeh Peregina, and Shannon Davidson added her second helper of the match. The team's defensive discipline limited Southern Utah to a single scoring chance, which Solomon denied with a sharp save in the 27th minute.
Despite the game being halted early due to inclement weather, including lightning in the area, Utah's statistical dominance was evident. The Utes outshot their opponents 15-4 and held an 8-2 advantage in on-target attempts, surpassing the combined shot total of all three of their 2026 rivals.
The win marks the third time in the past five seasons that Utah has remained unbeaten through its first three fixtures, underscoring a sustained rise in program competitiveness. With Solomon's historic start and a balanced attack, the team looks poised to build on this early success as the schedule progresses.