Utah Soccer Defeated Ranked UCF at Ute Field

The University of Utah women's soccer team earned their first Big 12 win by overcoming No. 23 UCF.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Soccer

Utah Soccer Defeated Ranked UCF at Ute Field

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The University of Utah women's soccer team secured a victory against No. 23 UCF at Ute Field. This win marks the first time since 2023 that Utah has defeated a ranked opponent.

Why it matters

The win represents a significant breakthrough for Utah as they secure their first Big 12 conference victory of the season. The result helps the team gain momentum as they navigate a challenging conference schedule with a current 1-2 league record.

Utah maintained a 15-6 shot advantage throughout the match and held UCF to zero shots during the first half. Goalkeeper Anna Solomon recorded four saves to preserve the win.

The players

Sophie Bellini

She is a member of the University of Utah women's soccer team who scored the opening goal of the match.

Brooke Gardner

She is a player for the University of Utah who scored the second goal of the game using a header.

Anna Solomon

She serves as the goalkeeper for the University of Utah and recorded four saves in the victory.

The details

Sophie Bellini opened the scoring in the third minute off passes from Shannon Davidson and Julia Oka, followed by a Brooke Gardner goal in the 30th minute via a Nevaeh Peregrina corner kick. The defensive effort held the ranked opponent scoreless while the offense dominated possession.

Sophie Bellini scored in the 3rd minute of the match.
Brooke Gardner scored in the 30th minute of the match.
Utah plays Iowa State on October 1, 2026.
Utah plays Cincinnati on October 8, 2026.
Utah plays West Virginia on October 11, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This victory serves as a crucial turning point for the team after holding a 1-2 conference record. By taking down a ranked opponent, Utah has positioned itself to improve its standing in the competitive Big 12 landscape.

With this result, Utah moves to a 4-5-2 overall record as they look ahead to their upcoming conference matchups. The team's ability to maintain a strong defensive presence and generate 15 shots sets a positive trend for their upcoming game against Iowa State.

The takeaway

The team demonstrated defensive discipline by limiting their opponent to zero first-half shots. Consistent offensive execution on set pieces like corner kicks remains a key strategy for the squad as they progress through the Big 12 schedule.