Utah soccer: Olivia Griffitts retires from pro soccer, Utah Royals FC to focus on family
The former No. 20 overall pick and 13-time starter for the Royals announced her retirement from professional soccer to focus on her family, including a newborn baby girl Navy Olivia Griffitts.
One former NWSL college draft pick out of BYU won’t be back for Utah Royals FC next year.
Utah defender Olivia Griffitts announced her retirement from professional soccer Tuesday, citing a need to focus on her family which includes a newborn baby girl born Aug. 8.
Griffits, 24, hadn’t played this season while on pregnancy/maternity leave. But the former BYU star who helped lead the Cougars to a pair of NCAA College Cup semifinal appearances made 13 starts for the Royals, tallying 1,106 minutes. Griffitts had the second-most interceptions on the team in 2024 with 26 after being selected with the No. 20 overall pick (second round) in the now-defunct NWSL college draft.
“From putting on my first youth jersey to making my professional debut, soccer has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Griffitts wrote on social media. “I will never forget the friendships and memories that I have made over the years, thanks to this game.
“I am so grateful to the Utah Royals for giving me the chance to live my dream. I want to thank the fans for all their love and support as I make the difficult but exciting decision to turn the page and start a new chapter with my family as a mother.”
In a follow-up message on social media, Griffitts’ husband Kyle — a former tight end on the BYU football team — thanked the Royals “for being so good to her.”
During her five seasons at BYU, the native of Eagle, Idaho tallied four goals iwth 19 assists, including a career-high eight dimes while helping the Cougars to the NCAA College Cup semifinals as a senior in 2023.
Griffitts is the latest former BYU and Utah player who has left the Royals since their return to the NWSL prior to the 2024 season. The list includes former teammates Mikayla Colohan (Seattle Regin FC), Michele Vasconcelos (née Murphy), and Cam Tucker (Spokane Zephyr FC), as well as former Utah goalkeeper Carly Nelson.
Unbeaten in six-straight matches, Utah is on the road for back-to-back tilts at Bay FC and Chicago before returning to Sandy against the San Diego Wave on Oct. 11.
Utah Valley drops out of coaches’ poll after 1-1 draw
The first goal allowed by the Wolverines’ men’s soccer team in 2025 dropped Utah Valley out of the latest coaches’ rankings.
Utah Valley (6-0-1) dropped from No. 16 to five spots outside of the top-25 in the latest United Soccer Coaches’ poll following the Wolverines’ 1-1 draw with Santa Clara to cap nonconference play.
Nil Grau scored on Keegan Oyler’s NCAA-leading sixth assist of the season Saturday. But the Wolverines missed a penalty kick, and could not prevent the Broncos from equalizing before the final whistle.
The team held on to the No. 25 ranking in the TopDrawerSoccer media poll.
Oyler, a native of Meridian, Idaho, who previously transferred from Oregon State, was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week for his assist.
The Wolverines open WAC play next Saturday, Oct. 4 at Grand Canyon. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT on ESPN+.
BYU falls 6 spots in women’s poll
BYU fell six spots to No. 16 in the latest United Soccer Coaches’ Division I women’s poll Tuesday after the Cougars’ 2-1 road loss to Arizona State to open Big 12 play.
The Cougars (5-2-1, 0-1 Big 12) fell behind early through Cameron Valladares’ goal in the ninth minute, and Addison Baltodano doubled the advantage in the second half. Presley Freeman pulled one back in the 85th minute, but it wasn’t enough as the Sun Devils stayed unbeaten at 8-0-1 on the year.
BYU returns home Wednesday to host West Virginia in the Big 12 home opener at 7 p.m. MT on ESPN+.