CBU 2 – UVU 2 (CBU advances on PKs 4-3) Box Score
OREM, Utah – The California Baptist Lancers pulled off the stunning upset in enemy territory, advancing past the No. 1 seeded Utah Valley Wolverines in penalty kicks 4-3 following a 2-2 draw after two 10-minute overtime periods and claimed their second consecutive WAC Women’s Soccer Tournament Championship. The Lancers earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament.
Mikayla O’Brien was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player for her amazing performance in the CBU box, collecting 13 saves in the tournament and recording the championship-winning penalty kick. Joining O’Brien on the All-Tournament from the Lancers were Taylor Held, Anja Jestrovic, Ava Lopez, and Ava Westlund.
Utah Valley struck first and scored in the 35th minute when Josie Shepherd found the bottom-left corner of the net off a cross from Ruby Hladek. Faith Webber extended the Wolverines lead to 2-0 with nation-leading 22nd goal of the season in the 54th minute of the match.
The Lancers capitalized on a UVU foul in the penalty box as Anja Jestrovic scored on a penalty kick in the 61st minute to bring CBU within one score. Ten minutes later, Jestrovic impacted the match once again as she sent a free-kick to the direction of Taylor Held who put the ball into the back of the net to tie the match at 2 goals apiece.
Each team had multiple near-missed shots in the final moments in regulation, but no one could find the game-winner as the match was sent to overtime and eventually penalty kicks. Both teams made the first PK, missed the second, and made the third. The tide turned when O’Brien blocked Utah Valley’s fourth penalty kick from Shepherd and Westlund made the next attempt for CBU. Mia Owens made the final attempt for UVU leaving all the pressure on the PK attempt on CBU goalkeeper, O’Brien. O’Brien solidified her MOP award with the championship-winning penalty kick as she sunk the ball into the net to secure California Baptist’s second title in as many years.
The Lancers now awaits for the NCAA DI Women’s Soccer Tournament Selection Show on NCAA.com on Monday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET, where they will find out who they will face in the first round. The first round of the tournament will take place Friday-Sunday, Nov. 14-16 with the national championship occurring Monday, Dec. 8th.
2025 WAC Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Mikayla O’Brien, GK, California Baptist (Most Outstanding Player)
Taylor Held, MF/D, California Baptist
Anja Jestrovic, MF, California Baptist
Ava Lopez, D, California Baptist
Ava Westlund, F/D, California Baptist
Ruby Hladek, MF, Utah Valley
Mia Owens, D, Utah Valley
Bailey Peterson, D, Utah Valley
Josie Shepherd, MF, Utah Valley
Faith Webber, F, Utah Valley
Ella Cotter, F, Utah Tech
- WAC -