OREM, Utah — No. 1 seed Utah Valley scored twice in the first half and held off a second-half push from No. 2 seed UC San Diego to claim the 2026 Big West Women's Soccer Championship with a 2-1 victory Saturday at UCCU Stadium.

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Goals from Kate Booth and Bailey Peterson gave the Wolverines a two-goal cushion before halftime, with Peterson's finish proving to be the match-winner. The victory capped Utah Valley's first Big West season with both the regular-season and Championship titles and secured the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship.

The matchup brought together the Championship's top two seeds, with Utah Valley looking to add to an unbeaten 9-0-2 conference campaign and UC San Diego playing for the crown in the program's first Big West Championship appearance.

Both goalkeepers were tested early. Charlotte Wilfert stopped Tylie Miller's attempt at 4:04, while Madeleine Boucher answered with saves against Natalie Oca and Ava Tibor to keep the Tritons off the board.

Utah Valley broke through at 17:50 when Booth finished off an assist from All-Big West First Team selection Nixan Jackson for a 1-0 advantage. UC San Diego looked to respond with an Oca attempt and a corner kick near the 29-minute mark, but the Wolverines maintained the lead.

Peterson doubled the margin with just 1:22 remaining before halftime, scoring off Isabella Stewart's assist at 43:38. The Tritons earned a late corner and a shot from Kiki Vostermans, but Utah Valley carried the 2-0 advantage into the break.

UC San Diego came out pressing in the second half, generating three Oca attempts and a corner kick. Boucher, an All-Big West Second Team and All-Rookie Team honoree, turned away Oca at 47:24 to preserve the two-goal lead.

The Wolverines responded with chances of their own midway through the half. Big West Offensive Player of the Year Sadie Beardall forced a save at 57:53 and added another attempt a minute later. Utah Valley followed with two corner kicks before Stewart sent a shot wide at 64:49.

The Tritons pulled within one at 69:00 when Vostermans scored off assists from Kennadi Borg and Olivia Shih, setting up a closely contested final 21 minutes.

Jackson tested Wilfert again at 82:58, while Shih and Lana Gilligan each recorded late attempts for UC San Diego. Utah Valley protected the one-goal margin through the final whistle to secure the Championship on its home field.

UC San Diego finished with a 12-8 advantage in shots, while Utah Valley held a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. Boucher and Wilfert each recorded three saves.

Booth and Peterson converted their only shots of the match, with Jackson and Stewart each contributing an assist. Oca paced the Tritons with five shots, including two on target, while Vostermans and Shih recorded two attempts apiece.

Utah Valley improves to 15-4-3 overall after finishing 9-0-2 in Big West play and advances to the NCAA Championship. UC San Diego closes its Championship run at 12-4-5 overall and 7-1-3 in conference action. 

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The Big West also announced its 2026 Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team below:

Cadee Borg, UC San Diego
Sail Bozinovic, Cal State Fullerton
Sam Curtis, Utah Valley
Riley O'Brien, Cal State Fullerton
Mia Ownes, Utah Valley
Leliah Raad, UC San Diego 
Quinn Rustand, Utah Valley (Championship MVP)
Kate Shirts, Utah Valley
Isis Salazar-Ortega, Cal Poly
Siena Urzua, Cal Poly
Kiki Vostermans, UC San Diego