(Arlington, Texas - Aug. 7, 2025) – Utah Tech women's soccer was predicted to finish third in the Western Athletic Conference this season, according to the 2025 WAC preseason coaches' poll announced on Thursday. A trio of Trailblazers, senior forward Lacy Fox, senior midfielder Kyah Le and junior defender Michelle Rodriguez, were recognized on the 2025 Preseason All-WAC Team.

The Trailblazers tied for third with 15 points in the preseason coaches' poll, the highest placement UT has ever garnered, besting fifth-place nods in 2023 and 2024. Utah Tech finished sixth in the WAC regular season standings last year with a 2-4-1 mark in conference play and a 5-75 record overall. The Trailblazers made their third-straight WAC Tournament appearance, falling to Seattle U, 2-0 in the quarterfinals. 

Utah Valley (24 points and four first-place votes) is the preseason favorite, predicted by the league's coaches to repeat as regular-season champions. California Baptist, the 2024 WAC Tournament champs, came in second (22 points, two first-place votes). Tarleton State tied with UT with 15 points. Abilene Christian (fifth, eight points) and Southern Utah (sixth, six points) rounded out the poll. 

Fox, Le and Rodriguez are the first Trailblazers named to the Preseason All-WAC Team since Karli Heaton was selected in 2023. Three honorees is the most UT has ever placed on the Preseason All-WAC team, topping one selection in 2023 (Heaton) and 2021 (Whitley Griffiths). 

Fox earned Second Team All-WAC honors in 2024 after leading the Trailblazers in goals (8, second-most in the WAC), points (18, third-most in the WAC), shots (40), shots on goal (18), and game-winning goals (2). Fox started 16 of her 17 appearances, totaling 1,086 minutes on the pitch, the most by any Trailblazer forward.

Le returns after starting all 17 games and playing 1,435 minutes on the pitch in 2024. Le tallied the second-most assists (3) and fourth-most points (5) on the 2024 Utah Tech squad. A veteran leader, Le is the only senior midfielder and one of three upperclassmen in the midfield for UT.

Rodriguez also started all 17 games last season, totaling 1,427 minutes and helping the Trailblazers shut out three opponents. The junior defender from West Valley City, Utah, is expected to anchor the Utah Tech defense, succeeding three-time Second Team All-WAC honoree Gracie Knutzen after her graduation.

Utah Tech faces BYU in an exhibition match in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. The Trailblazers officially kick off the 2025 campaign at Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. 

UT begins WAC play at Southern Utah in Cedar City, Utah, on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m. The Trailblazers conference home-opener against Utah Valley will be part of a doubleheader with the UT men's soccer team on Thursday, Oct. 9. The UT-UVU match is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

2025 WAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank / Team / Points (1st-Place Votes) 
1. Utah Valley 24 (4)
2. California Baptist 22 (2)
T3. UTAH TECH 15
T3. Tarleton State 15
5. Abilene Christian 8
6. Southern Utah 6

2025 WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Faith Webber, Gr., Utah Valley
 
2025 WAC Preseason Co-Defensive Players of the Year
Summer Allen, Sr., California Baptist
Taylor Nelson, Sr., Utah Valley

2025 WAC Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Mikayla Kendall, Sr., Tarleton State

2025 Preseason All-WAC Team
Summer Allen, Sr., D, California Baptist 
Kaylee Hauck, Sr., F, California Baptist 
Aubrey Murray, Sr., MF, Southern Utah
Mikayla Kendall, Sr., GK, Tarleton State
Lacy Fox, Sr., F, Utah Tech
Kyah Le, Sr., MF, Utah Tech
Michelle Rodriguez, Jr., D, Utah Tech
Ashley Garcia, Jr., MF, Utah Valley
Ruby Hladek, Sr., F, Utah Valley
Taylor Nelson, Sr., D, Utah Valley
Kate Shirts, So., MF, Utah Valley
Faith Webber, Gr., F, Utah Valley