Sandy, U.T- The Utah Royals returned from the week-long break of NWSL play with 5,777 fans cheering in the stadium as the Royals saw a 1-0 win against Sky Blue FC. Utah forward Amy Rodriguez scored the goal that made the difference for the Royals to celebrate their home victory.
Rodriguez opened up the match with attempts on goal and succeeded in the 16’ minute as her long-ball, several meters out from the half, sank to the back of the net to give the Royals a 1-0 lead.
The Royals managed to maintain their lead by the end of the half and when they returned, their defense was quick to make clearances from Sky Blue’s offense. In the 51’ minute, Sky blue was close to seeing an equalizer as midfielder Raquel Rodriguez sent a low ball to the net. Nahomi Kawasumi was on the other side of the ball, but the crossbar deflected the shot.
Utah continued to put Sky Blue goalkeeper Didi Haracic to the test as several attempts on goal were made from Erika Tymrak outside of the box. In total, Haracic recorded six saves in goal for the night.
In the 80’ minute, Sky Blue were on another run on goal as forward Paige Monaghan sent her left footed shot to the goal, but fell short as it went to the right side of the net.
With the late substitutions and free kicks given, four minutes of stoppage time were added to the clock. The Royals were almost free of being scored on while Sky Blue seized every opportunity possible, although at this point, Utah was seeing more chances on their opponents side of the field.
The Utah Royals currently stand in second place of rankings and will host Reign FC on Friday, June 28 for Week 10 of the NWSL.
SCORING SUMMARY:
UTA-Amy Rodriguez (Assisted by: Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir), 16’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
NJ-Erica Skroski, 84’ yellow card
UTA-Erika Tymrak, 90 + 2’ yellow card
UTAH ROYALS: #1-Nicole Barnhart, #3-Rebecca Moros, #16-Samantha Johnson, #14-Gaby Vincent, #19-Michelle Maemone (#17-Sydney Miramontez, 62’), #7-Mandy Laddish (#48-Alexa Newfield, 83’), #24-Katie Stengel, #66-Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir, #21-Veronica Boquete Giadans (#20-Mallory Weber, 35’), #15-Erika Tymrak, #8-Amy Rodriguez
Subs not used: #46-Meghan Cox, #13-Makenzy Doniak, #1-Abby Smith, #42-Raisa Strom-Okimoto
SKY BLUE FC: #13-Didi Haracic, #3-Caprice Dysasco, #12-Gina Lewandowski, #8-Erica Skroski, #18-Sabrina Flores, #11-Raquel Rodriguez, #16-Sarak Killion, #9-Nahomi Kawasumi (#7-Jennifer Hoy, 68’), #4-Paige Monaghan (#20-Francisca Gabriela Morais Da Rocha, 80’), #21-Savannah McCaskill (#19-Elizabeth Eddy, 78’), #28-Imani Dorsey
Subs not used: #5-Julie James, #15-Kaylan Marckese, #29-Amandine Pierre-Louis, #14-Kenie Wright
TOTAL SHOTS: UTA 9-16 NJ
SHOTS ON GOAL: UTA 6-5 NJ
FOULS: UTA 5-9 NJ
OFFSIDES: UTA 5-3 NJ
Sky Blue FC
Utah Royals
