QUOTE SHEET
Utah Royals FC 2-2 N.C. Courage
Wakemed Soccer Park; Cary, North Carolina
April 21, 2018
Utah Royals FC
Head Coach Laura Harvey
On the product on the field:
“I felt that we weren’t very good on the ball, but we spoke about it at half time. For the second half, we knew that they [N.C. Courage] would tire a bit. We knew that we had a bench that could come in and cause some problems. I felt that we were the better team in the second half. Obviously really disappointed to concede the second goal – I thought the first goal was a great goal from them. To get a point on the road here is a positive, but we have to make sure now that we work really hard on the ball.
On the style of play change in the second half:
“We broke their pressure a bit better, meaning that they didn’t get to play long balls from their 18 yard box. I also think Amy makes a big difference because she stretches the back lines. I said to the girls ‘If we can keep our grit, determination, and work ethic—the same way we have been playing all of our games—but increase our quality, we will become a team that people fear.’ Even though Carolina had a few chances, I don’t think Abby had to make too many saves. So we are really disappointed to concede two goals, but really happy to get a point on the road.
On preparing for Portland next Saturday:
“We have to know that we are defensively good, and keep that mentality. We have to be better on the ball – that’s our mantra – and it’s something that comes out in training. Our training habits on the ball have to be better, but if we keep working, it will come.”
On what this game means after the prior week’s loss:
“It’s my first point against North Carolina in all of my games against them. It’s a difficult place to play. We played them at a good time with all of the games they had this week, and we train at altitude, so coming to the east coast is actually good for us. I just said to the girls that if we keep that work rate, and work ethic up, but better the quality, we will be a difficult team to play against.”
Forward Brittany Ratcliffe
On scoring the goal:
“I was happy that it went in. It felt great to be up in the match. We need to keep the ball better and come away with a win next time, but it was good for us to be up and score some goals this time.”
On how Stengel’s goal opened up the match:
“Prior to the goal, we were down one to nothing, so Katie came in clutch. It was a great goal on her part; she didn’t give up on the play, and we needed that.”
On Laura’s half-time adjustments:
“She said that we need to be smarter on the ball, and not to give it away needlessly. You could see that in the second half we were a lot calmer, and that paid off! We were scoring goals, so those adjustments were great.”
FW Katie Stengel
On her goal to tie the game:
“Everyone last week was asking why weren’t scoring, so we provided an answer! I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, and even out the game.”
On improving in the second half:
“In the first half we were missing passes and not connecting, but the moment we got a little bit of momentum, we said ‘Oh, we are in this—we can play.’ That definitely changed the whole game. It was nice to breath and know we could play.”
On the energy on the pitch and leading:
“We are definitely still searching for our first win, and we had the opportunities there – just twelve more minutes, but I think we are close; hopefully we can get closer with each game. And hopefully we can carry that feeling on and get that back.”
On Preparing for Portland:
“We have to get prepared and recover quickly. We also have to make sure that we take care of ourselves, and make sure that we put in more goals than Portland this time.”
