Top-seeded Utah Valley hosts No. 4 Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday in a Big West Championship semifinal, with a place in the Nov. 13 final—and home-field advantage—at stake. The Wolverines enter after beating the Roadrunners 3-2 to clinch the regular-season title, while CSUB has shown it can be tough away from home.

By the Numbers
  • Utah Valley: 10-2-3 overall and 5-1 in Big West play.
  • Cal State Bakersfield: 5-4-7 overall and 1-1-4 in Big West play.
  • Kickoff: 2 p.m. MST Saturday; gates open at 1 p.m.
  • Utah Valley leads the series 6-2-1 and is 3-0 against CSUB at home.
Yes, But

Utah Valley won the teams’ most recent meeting, but CSUB has a 3-1-4 road record, including wins over then-No. 22 Oregon State and Cal Poly. The Roadrunners also beat the Wolverines in their only previous postseason matchup, a 1-0 result in the 2014 WAC Tournament.

State of Play
  • Utah Valley claimed the Big West regular-season title with its 3-2 win at Bakersfield.
  • The Wolverines went unbeaten at home during the regular season and have allowed just two home goals.
  • Jose Luis Martin Montealegre scored twice and assisted on the other goal in the teams’ latest meeting.
What's Next

A Utah Valley win would send the Wolverines to the Big West final on Friday, Nov. 13, at UCCU Stadium against the winner of UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara. The semifinal will stream on ESPN+ and Big West International.

Bottom Line

Utah Valley has home advantage, momentum and a recent win over CSUB—but the Roadrunners’ strong road form and postseason history make this semifinal more than a routine rematch.