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Utah Valley University Standouts Named to 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Players Forwards to Watch List

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Two standout players from Utah Valley University, Faith Webber and Ruby Hladek, have been recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as part of the 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Players Forwards to Watch list. This annual preseason list highlights returning All-Americans and All-Region honorees from the previous season, showcasing some of the nation's top players entering the upcoming college soccer season. Webber and Hladek's inclusion on this list is a testament to their exceptional skills and achievements, with Webber being one of the most decorated players in UVU history.

Key Takeaways:

  • Faith Webber, a senior forward from Grand Blanc, Michigan, holds seven career records at UVU, including points (109), goals (48), and goals per game (0.81).
  • Webber led the nation in goals per game last season (0.95) while setting single-season UVU records for goals (18), points (38), shots (110), and shots on goal (56).
  • She has been a three-time United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Pacific Region honoree and earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-American(r) honors in 2024.
  • Webber has helped lead UVU to three straight WAC regular season titles and the program's first-ever at-large NCAA Tournament bid in 2022.
  • Chris Lemay, UVU head coach, praised Webber's preparation, stating she has "spent time training over the summer with some NWSL teams and addressed a couple areas of her game that could be improved."
  • Ruby Hladek, a senior forward from Ladera Ranch, California, earned First Team All-WAC honors, United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Pacific Region recognition, and a spot on the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Team in 2024.
  • She has been a two-time WAC All-Tournament Team honoree and has started all 19 matches in the previous season, leading the WAC with 10 assists while adding five goals.
  • Hladek's positive energy has been contagious in camp, as stated by Lemay, who expects "big things" from her this fall.

Statistics:

  • Faith Webber holds 7 career records at UVU.
  • Webber led the nation in goals per game last season (0.95).
  • Webber set single-season UVU records for goals (18), points (38), shots (110), and shots on goal (56) in the 2024 season.
  • Ruby Hladek earned First Team All-WAC honors and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Pacific Region recognition in 2024.
  • Hladek started all 19 matches in the 2024 season, leading the WAC with 10 assists.

Sources:

  • United Soccer Coaches, "2025 NCAA Division I Women's Players Forwards to Watch list" (no date)
  • Utah Valley University, "Faith Webber and Ruby Hladek Named to 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Players Forwards to Watch list" (no date)
  • College Sports Communicators, "Academic All-Americans" (no date)
  • United Soccer Coaches, "Scholar All-Americans" (no date)

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