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Utah Royals FC had their second meeting with the Pride this Saturday. This was the first match Utah had without both Becky Sauerbrunn and Rachel Corsie. With all URFC’s international players eligible for World Cup call-ups ,except Katie Bowen, this lineup was drastically different than the last meeting these two teams had.
Bringing the pic.twitter.com/oJCaaIITo8
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) May 25, 2019
From the get go, this match started off slow. In weeks past, Utah has come out quickly and gotten a lot of the ball in the first half, but this wasn’t the case. Utah was regularly stuck in their half for the majority of the first 45. Despite this they kept the majority of the possession at 66% in the first half.
This game remained tied until a PK was called in favor of URFC in the 30’. Bridget Callahan fouled Vero Boquete in the box, and Amy Rodriguez took the PK, sending Haley Kopmeyer the wrong way to give Utah the lead.
Top shelf pic.twitter.com/6exDvq3Foi
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) May 26, 2019
Shortly after the PK Erika Tymrak subbed in for Vero Boquete. This match would head to half with Utah up 1-0.
Utah started the second half very differently from the first. Quick out of the half, they were able to get two good looks at goal, but were unable to capitalize on either.
From the 55’ until roughly the 65’ not too much happened. Play was pretty back and forth with these teams. No one was getting too dangerous of looks either way.
In the 67’, Mandy Laddish subbed out for Mallory Weber. Shortly after, Bridget Callahan was shown yellow for a bad tackle. From there, Utah continued to dominate the possession but was unable to break through.
In the 79’ Katie Stengel subbed off for Makenzy Doniak.
It would take until the 88th minute for another goal to be found in this game. Super sub Doniak found the back of the net thanks to a LaBonta assist.
Game. Set. Match.@makenzy_allyson ices it with her first goal since tearing her ACL in 2018 pic.twitter.com/fQ0ORrHFC5
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) May 26, 2019
This match would end 2-0, giving Utah their 4th win of the season.
Utah’s next match is June 1 at Washington Spirit.