The Utes women's soccer team is gearing up for a back-to-back homestand, set to first lock horns with the Cincinnati Bearcats on Wednesday, Sept. 24, before taking on the West Virginia Mountaineers the following Saturday. Both games will be played at Ute Field, with fans able to tune in to the live stream on ESPN+ or follow live stats through the team's website.
In her latest excursion into Big 12 territory, the University of Utah saw its squad stand up, but ultimately not enough to overcome, against No. 14 TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. "I'm really proud of our effort tonight. TCU is one of the best teams in the country, and I thought we went toe-to-toe with them. If not for their goalkeeper making a few phenomenal saves, the result could have been different," Coach Hideki Nakada reflected, according to UtahUtes.com. The Bearcats, arriving off a winless streak of four matches, will look to rediscover their winning formula, while the defensively stout Mountaineers aim to continue their streak of not having conceded a goal since late August.
As the Utes prepare to host this duo of matchups, there’s good news for the fans: promotional activities are set to make the event more vibrant. Expect to grab some free posters and magnets on Wednesday. Saturday will roll out the red carpet for alumni and quadrupeds alike, with the first 200 fans scoring a Utah dog bandana, capped by an intermission weiner dog race.
Utah brings solid experience into these games, boasting seven seniors and three graduate students, among them Brooklyn Blaylock, Kelly Bullock, and Ryann Cull, who together have notched up 158 collegiate match appearances. Nakada’s troupe will also welcome new blood this season, with "12 new players Hideki Nakada added to his roster during the offseason," as per UtahUtes.com. The new talent includes a mix of upperclassmen transfers and fresh high school grads poised to make a splash.
