Utah Royals FC 0-0 NC Courage FC
Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
July 20, 2018
Utah Royals FC
Head Coach Laura Harvey
On the results:
“I said to the players this week we have to use this North Carolina game like a single game on it’s own because if we didn’t lose, we are going to do something that no other team in the league has done this year which is not be defeated by North Carolina. Everyone has lost to them. I felt in the first half we didn’t turn up, honestly. We spoke about that at half time and the girls responded really well in the second half. In the second half we were better, but after the first half performance, we couldn’t ask for anything more than just a point. It doesn’t feel like a win but I’m really happy we’ve played these guys three times and not lost because that’s a big statement. We’ve now have to make sure we do similar things we did tonight to the teams close around us. Those games are coming up and they come fast.”
On players stepping up:
“We are so lucky to have [Barnhart]. I’ve said it all season that she is a ultra professional. She knows exactly what it takes to play at this level, she is pushing Abby every single day, and you saw tonight, experience takes over with her. She knows when to control the game, when to play quick, when to slow the game down. We feel confident having both of them back there which is a luxury. Credit to the players, I thought in the second half they stepped up. The first half wasn’t good enough, I’m not going to sugar coat it, but in the second half we were much better. The players - every single one of them - stepped up and did a lot better in the second half.”
On what’s next:
“We’ll review this game over the next couple of days, then the players get a couple of days to do what they want. Just have a breather and refresh. We’ve had a lot of games so just a little bit of a breather then back in Friday in preparation for Houston. We’ve got a three game week leading off the back of Tournament of Nations, so we’ve got to prepare for that. We’ve got to prepare for not having the players because their last game is Thursday, we play Sunday in Houston, then Wednesday and Saturday. A little bit of rest and recuperation from Monday through to the back end of the week and then back in, looking towards Houston.”
Defender Katie Bowen
On the defensive performance:
“We had a strict game plan and we knew they had a lot of pace up front so we knew to give ourselves some space because the likes of Williams and McDonald are class players. We kept a clean sheet, Barnie had an absolutely awesome game and we are stoked to have a clean sheet.”
On having Barnhart in front of goal:
“Barnie is a world class keeper. It was a little different for me because I had played two years with her in Kansas - this is my first year with Abby - I think her and I have a great relationship. Barnie came in, she stepped up and made some really big time saves tonight so I am really proud of her.”
On staying undefeated against North Carolina:
“It’s a mixed feeling because I think that we could’ve got three points. In the first half we didn’t execute our game plan that we have been practicing in training for the past three days properly. We are pretty annoyed about that, but I think that we stepped up on the second half and did better. Obviously it’s great to get points from them because they are a great team. We have gotten points off of them every time we faced them, what a lot of other teams haven’t done so that is great but mixed feelings because I feel that we could’ve gotten all three points.”
Defender Rebecca Moros
On the key of holding the opposing team:
“They are a fast and aggressive team and they play a pretty high flying style and I think for us, it’s always about defending together and making sure we stay close as a unit. Our front and midfield lines always do so much work for our backline, so we try to limit the shots on Barnie, but they are a tough team to defend against for sure.”
On the defensive performance:
“We are always happy with a clean sheet and we have given up goals that we are pretty disappointed with this season. I guess most defenders are disappointed with all goals we up but it is nice to get a clean sheet and coming off of three results that we are not happy with. We needed this and to turn the corner there, the backline is pretty happy.
On team mentality:
“I think that some momentum is good for us in every game in every season you get momentum, you lose momentum. You get it back and a lot of winning is how quickly you can regain that momentum. I think for us going into the break on a positive note is huge. All of us have felt like we’ve built in a positive direction all season, but it just hasn’t turned into the results that we wanted, but I think there isn’t a lack of belief in this squad. I think that going in with a positive mentality is definitely good for us.”
On Barnhart’s performance:
“Barnie killed it. I have played with Barnie many years and she always kills it everyday. I think that we have two of the best keepers in the league and world on this team. Barnie is phenomenal, she is incredibly professional, and she didn’t skip a beat. You would never know that this is her first game in a while. She was awesome, our communication was great, she is very composed and calm, and she is just a phenomenal shot stopper too. She did great for us.”
