Week 1: Utah Wild @ Arizona Sidewinders

By Margaret Pugh

After an exciting opening weekend, the 2026 WUL is officially underway. California saw some serious action in week one, the Bay Area Falcons faced off with the San Diego Super Bloom on Saturday and the Los Angeles Astra on Sunday. The Utah Wild also hit the road and went down to Tempe to face off with the Arizona Sidewinders in their first match of the season. 

During the 2025 season, Utah found their lone win of the year against Arizona, who was winless last season. Both teams were hungry for a win to open the season. 

The Wild are entering this season with several fresh sets of eyes; only eight players have returned from the previous season. While this may come with challenges, it also presents a unique opportunity for the Wild to build something new this season. 

Arizona did walk away from this match with a win but this game did give fans the first look at the Wild’s exciting new roster and what they’re bringing to the table this season. 

This match was all about veteran presence for the Wild. Eva Bell, Abbie Davis, and Liz Bunderson were some of the Wild’s standout players in this match. Bell was credited with one goal and two assists, as well as leading their team in throwing yards. Davis recorded five goals and Bunderson was a defensive machine. Bunderson played 12 defensive points and made a particularly impressive block late in the first to maintain Wild control. 

However, Utah trailed Arizona for most of this match until scoring energy really picked up in the final quarter where each team recorded six points each to finish out the match. The Wild faced a tough loss to start the season, losing 23-14 to the Sidewinders.

The Wild play again on March 28, hosting the Oregon Soar at Judge Memorial High School. The game can be streamed on the WUL’s youtube channel. Tickets are also on sale now, so come cheer on the Wild in their first game at home this season!