Jess Fishlock of the Seattle Reign
Sandy, U.T- In Week 20 of the 2018 NWSL season, the Seattle Reign met the Utah Royals at Rio Trinto Stadium, fwith 8,740 eager fans in the stands.
The match started out with both teams lacking consistency as the ball went from one team to the other. The Reign caught an early opportunity as forward Jess Fishlock passed the ball up towards Megan Rapinoe, but Rapinoe’s shot was blocked by Royal goalkeeper Abby Smith.
Several minutes later, the Reign came back to attack once again. Rapinoe took the shot in the 16th minute on goal, but Smith made the save and deflected the ball.
The tables turned for Seattle when Royal defender Katie Bowen fought Fishlock for the ball to play to Christen Press. Press saw the opportunity on goal, but the shot was saved by Reign goalkeeper Lydia Williams.
Before the first half came to an end, Rapinoe took a corner kick in the 46th minute and after it cleared from the goal area, defender Megan Oyster collected the ball from the clearance and crossed it to Fishlock, who headed the ball into the goal, recording her first goal of the season.
As Seattle was eager to attack, Utah defender Becky Sauerbrunn recorded three clearances, but the Royals were unable to get a goal.
Eight minutes of stoppage time were added due to the numerous hydration breaks needed from the scorching heat. In the 93rd minute, the ball was placed in front of Press after being deflected and her shot brightened the evening for Utah fans, but the joy was diminished as Williams made the save.
The Reign gained three points on the road and stand in second place as the Royals currently stand in sixth place with 28 points. The Royals will travel to New Jersey to play Sky Blue FC for Week 21 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
SCORING SUMMARY:
SEA-Jess Fishlock (Assisted by Megan Oyster), 48’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
SEA-Jess Fishlock, yellow card, 74’
UTA-Rebecca Moros, yellow card, 90’
UTAH ROYALS FC: #1-Abby Smith, #3-Becca Moros, #2-Rachel Corsie, #4-Becky Sauerbrunn, #6-Katie Bowen, #23-Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir, #9-Lo’eau Labonta, #19-Katrina Gorry (#11-Desiree Scott, 55’), #10-Diana Matheson (#24-Katie Stengel, 70’), #21-Christen Press, #12-Taylor Lytle (#8-Amy Rodriguez, 63’)
SEATTLE REIGN FC: #1-Lydia Williams, #21-Christen Westphal, #3-Lauren Barnes, #4-Megan Oyster, #8-Theresa Nielsen, #12-Morgan Andrews (#19-Kristen McNabb, 75’), #10-Jess Fishlock, #6-Allie Long, #15-Megan Rapinoe, #14-Jodie Taylor (#24-Alyssa Kleiner, 88’), #22-Jasmyne Spencer (#13-Adriana Leon, 80’)
TOTAL SHOTS: UTA 6-10 SEA
SHOTS ON GOAL: UTA 2-6 SEA
FOULS: UTA 7-10 SEA
OFFSIDES: UTA 1-3 SEA
CORNER KICKS: UTA 2-3 SEA
SAVES: UTA 5-2 SEA
Utah Royals
