Utah Valley University Women's Soccer

Chris Lemay enters his 10th season as head coach of the Utah Valley women's soccer team in 2026 and will lead the Wolverines into their first season in The Big West Conference. The winningest coach in program history with a career record of 102-66-23, Lemay has transformed Utah Valley into one of the premier women's soccer programs in the West and a consistent contender on the national stage. He has guided the Wolverines to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program's first NCAA Tournament victory in 2020, and earned his third WAC Coach of the Year honor in 2025. Lemay has guided UVU to four NCAA Tournament appearances (2017, 2020, 2022, 2025), including the program’s first NCAA Tournament win in 2020. He has led the Wolverines to two WAC Tournament titles (2017, 2020) and five WAC regular-season championships (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025). He is a three-time WAC Coach of the Year (2022, 2024,2025) and has guided UVU to six WAC Tournament championship match appearances (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025). Over his tenure, Lemay's players have earned 57 All-WAC honors, including 27 first-team selections. Under his leadership, Utah Valley has produced three WAC Offensive Players of the Year—Heather Stainbrook (2022), Faith Webber (2024), and Ruby Hladek (2025)—and four WAC Defensive Players of the Year in Jenna Shepherd (2021, 2022), Sydney Bushman (2023), Haley Funn (2024), and Mia Owens (2025). The Wolverines have also had three WAC Freshmen of the Year in Amber Tripp (2017), Breanna Eves (2018), and Kate Shirts (2024). His players have additionally earned 23 United Soccer Coaches All-Region selections and numerous national academic honors. Academic Excellence Lemay’s players have excelled academically, with UVU earning eight consecutive United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Awards. His players have received eight United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America honors, including Ruby Hladek (2024, 2025), Mia Owens (2025), Faith Webber (2023, 2024), Heather Stainbrook (2021, 2022), Jenna Shepherd (2022), Haley Funn (2024), and Manthy Brady (2024). Five Wolverines have also earned consecutive College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® honors: Heather Stainbrook (2022), Sydney Bushman (2023), Faith Webber (2024, 2025), Ruby Hladek (2025), and Mia Owens (2025). In 2024, UVU had a nation-best four players named to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Team. 2025 Season Highlights In 2025, Lemay led Utah Valley to its fourth consecutive WAC regular-season championship and an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament, guiding the Wolverines to a 14-5-3 overall record. He was named WAC Coach of the Year after leading UVU to another dominant conference campaign, while Ruby Hladek earned WAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and Mia Owens was named WAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Wolverines placed five players on the United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Region teams, highlighted by first-team selections Faith Webber and Ruby Hladek. Webber also earned TopDrawerSoccer All-America Second Team honors after leading the nation in goals (22), shots per game (6.82), and shots on goal per game (3.14). Utah Valley closed the season with its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and its second NCAA at-large bid under Lemay. 2024 Season Highlights In 2024, Lemay led UVU to its third consecutive WAC regular-season title with a 6-0-1 conference record and a 12-5-2 overall mark. The Wolverines earned 10 All-WAC honors, with Faith Webber named WAC Offensive Player of the Year, Haley Funn as WAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Kate Shirts as WAC Freshman of the Year. Additionally, Heather Stainbrook became the first player in program history to sign with a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, joining the Washington Spirit and helping them reach the 2024 NWSL Championship game. Other Notable Achievements 2023: UVU captured its second straight WAC regular-season title with a 10-4-5 overall record and an unbeaten 7-0-2 mark in conference play. The team conceded only three goals in nine WAC matches, with Sydney Bushman named WAC Defensive Player of the Year. 2022: UVU finished with a program-record-tying 14 wins and ranked among the nation's offensive leaders, placing third in assists (59) and 10th in scoring offense (2.45 goals per game). The Wolverines defeated No. 13 BYU on the road and drew No. 23 UCF in a historic season. 2020: Lemay led UVU to its first NCAA Tournament win, defeating No. 25 Memphis, and claimed both WAC regular-season and tournament championships. The team finished with the best RPI ranking in program history (No. 66). Previous Coaching Experience Before joining UVU, Lemay served as associate head coach at Cal (2012–16), helping the Golden Bears to four NCAA Tournament appearances. He also coached at San Diego State, UC Riverside, and with the San Diego Sea Lions in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. He holds a USSF A License and is a FIFA-certified Beach Soccer Coach. Playing Career and Education Lemay was a four-year starter at Eastern Michigan, where he earned a degree in communication with a minor in business management. He also played semi-professional soccer with Michigan Madness. Personal Chris and his wife, Tami, have four children: Van, Olivia, Hannah, and Eva, and one grandson, Cash.    

Sydney Bushman enters her second season as an assistant coach for the Utah Valley women's soccer team in 2026. Bushman joined the assistant coaching ranks at Utah Valley prior to the 2025 season and helped guide the Wolverines to a fourth consecutive WAC regular-season championship and an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. UVU finished the season with a 14-5-3 overall record and a 9-0-1 conference mark, extending its WAC regular-season unbeaten streak to 32 matches while advancing to the WAC Tournament championship match and making the program's fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. A former standout defender for the Wolverines, Bushman played four seasons at Utah Valley from 2020-23 and helped establish one of the most successful eras in program history. She appeared in 79 matches with 75 starts, anchoring the UVU back line while contributing 10 goals and four assists for 24 career points. Bushman played a key role in helping the Wolverines capture WAC regular-season championships in 2020, 2022, and 2023, while also contributing to the program's first NCAA Tournament victory—a 1-0 shutout of No. 25 Memphis in the first round of the 2020 NCAA Tournament. During her senior season in 2023, she earned WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named First Team All-WAC after helping lead Utah Valley to a third consecutive WAC regular-season championship. She also helped lead a UVU defense that recorded seven shutouts, including six in conference play, while allowing just three goals during WAC action. A native of American Fork, Utah, Bushman earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Utah Valley in 2023 and later completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at UVU.

Madison Sutton begins her tenure as Director of Operations for the Utah Valley women’s soccer program in 2026 after previously serving as a student manager for the team from 2024 to 2026. In her role, Sutton oversees the day-to-day operations of the program, including coordinating team travel, managing scheduling, organizing equipment and facilities, and assisting with team logistics. She works closely with the coaching staff and student-athletes to ensure the program runs efficiently both on and off the field. Sutton gained valuable experience with the Wolverines as a student manager, where she supported practice and game-day operations, handled equipment and inventory, coordinated meals, and assisted with overall team operations. She began her career in sports working in stadium operations with Real Salt Lake, where she was part of a wide range of sporting events and gained hands-on experience in event and matchday operations. That experience helped spark her passion for working in athletics and led her to pursue a career in college sports. A native of Herriman, Utah, Sutton is working on a business degree at of Utah Valley. Outside of work, she enjoys sports and fitness and values being part of a team environment.