Last weekend was highly successful for your Baylor Bears Soccer team. Not only did they beat both Rice and Houston Baptist, but they maintained a shutout in both games.
This weekend, the ladies travel a good 1,200 miles to Utah to face the Utah Valley University Wolverines and the Brigham Young University Cougars. Who is Utah Valley? That was my question, at least. So first, a primer on the universities, then the teams.
Utah Valley University
UVU is located in Orem, Utah, which, it turns out, is literally the next town over from Provo, where BYU is located. The public university, part of the WAC, is 96 years younger than our beloved Baylor University and is host to about 32,000 students, making it the largest public university in Utah. Like a certain university in Waco, the Wolverines' colors are Green and Gold, albeit "with White trim". According to the ever-reliable Wikipedia, the school only attained university status in 2008 - previously it was called Utah Valley State College.
On to the soccer team. The Wolverines have played two games thus far this season, losing both contests 1-0. Portland State, Drake, Boise State and UVU all participated in a four-team tournament in Portland at Portland State. Ending the year at 234 in the RPI Rankings, Utah Valley should provide no trouble for the Bears, though that first road game of the year is never easy.
Baylor @ UVU will kick off at 20:00 CT on Friday, 29. August.
Prediction: Baylor 3-0 Utah Valley
Brigham Young University
You know the one. Founded in 1875 and home to over 34,000 students, this Mormon university is one of the largest private universities in the United States. Unlike their northwestern neighbor, BYU hosts a top-25 soccer program. Currently at No. 23, the Cougars will provide a tough early-season challenge for the No. 36 Bears.
Baylor and BYU faced off last year in Waco - the Cougars took the game, 2-1. However, BYU has had a rough start to the season, tying both Cal State Fullerton (1-1) and Washington State (0-0) in double overtime. Expect a low-scoring affair between these two stout defenses. I would not be surprised to see only one goal in this game despite a good number of shots. Hopefully, the Bears can exact revenge for the loss suffered at home last year and come away with the win in Provo.
Baylor @ BYU kicks off at 14:00 CT on Monday, 1. September.
Prediction: Baylor 1-0 BYU
How to Watch
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>UVU: <a href="http://t.co/prXci7aYKe">http://t.co/prXci7aYKe</a> BYU: <a href="http://t.co/FyzU7QpJcB">http://t.co/FyzU7QpJcB</a> MT <a href="https://twitter.com/DerBaylorBaer">@DerBaylorBaer</a>: .<a href="https://twitter.com/BaylorFutbol">@BaylorFutbol</a> Can we watch/listen to this weekend's matches?</p>— Baylor Soccer (@BaylorFutbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BaylorFutbol/statuses/505039844788019201">August 28, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>BYU match also on DirecTV 374, Dish Network 9403 MT <a href="https://twitter.com/DerBaylorBaer">@DerBaylorBaer</a>: .<a href="https://twitter.com/BaylorFutbol">@BaylorFutbol</a> Can we watch/listen to this weekend's matches at all?</p>— Baylor Soccer (@BaylorFutbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BaylorFutbol/statuses/505040352865034240">August 28, 2014</a></blockquote>
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