Weber State women's soccer received a significant boost following a court order that allowed fifth-year forward Sayler Schlosser to return to the pitch. According to a Oct. 7 report, Judge Jason Nelson of Utah’s Second District Court granted Schlosser a temporary restraining order on Oct. 2, which prevents the NCAA from issuing sanctions against her or Weber State for her participation.
Schlosser made her first appearance in six weeks on Sunday, Oct. 4, coming off the bench during a 3-2 win against Eastern Washington. During the match, she provided an assist on a corner kick to Mina Nydegger, which helped establish a 3-0 lead.
Head coach Kyle Christensen noted that Schlosser is an elite attacker who creates and scores, adding that the team has embraced her return. Senior forward Lily Blum stated that having Schlosser back on the field is beneficial for the team's motivation and drive.
The legal dispute involves the NCAA's decision regarding fifth-year athletic eligibility. While the NCAA's framework includes a fifth year for certain students, litigation has occurred regarding the exclusion of the high school class of 2022.
Schlosser, who has recorded 10 goals and nine assists in 51 games for the Wildcats, was previously sidelined due to the ongoing legal proceedings. Her career previously included a title-game shootout loss to Montana.
The current temporary restraining order is understood to last for two weeks. This allows Schlosser to play in upcoming matches against Utah Tech and Southern Utah at home, as well as the first match of a road trip at Portland State.
To continue playing, Schlosser and her legal representation must successfully argue for a permanent injunction before the team returns to Montana on Oct. 18.
