Utah Royals FC defeated California State University Long Beach 4-0 in its first preseason game on Wednesday night. MF Gunny Jónsdóttir scored a hat trick across the span of five minutes to lead the team in the win.
URFC maintained a majority of the possession throughout the course of the game with the first strong opportunity for URFC occurring early on in the first half, as MF Vero Boquete took a corner kick that bounced around the penalty box for FW Amy Rodriguez to get a shot on target, but right to the hands of the Long Beach goalkeeper. Long Beach only created one opportunity close to URFC’s goal on a breakaway but could not out race the forceful backline.
Starting the second half scoreless, URFC maintained possession and energy to keep pressing forward. In the 71st minute, MF Makenzy Doniak sent the ball in the penalty box for Jónsdóttir to finish off her head. Only a minute after, Jónsdóttir scored her second of the night from a cross sent in by DF Katie Bowen. After another short turn around and Bowen to Jónsdóttir combination, Jónsdóttir scored her third goal of the night in the 75th minute.
Long Beach was unable to answer as URFC dominated in possession and defended a clean sheet to end the match 4-0.
UP NEXT: Utah Royals FC will face the USC Trojans in its second preseason game, on Saturday March 23. The afternoon kickoff in Long Beach, California is set for 1:15 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
URFC: Gunny Jónsdóttir, 71st minute: Makenzy Doniak sent a cross in from the left side over to Jónsdóttir head for the finish.
URFC: Gunny Jónsdóttir, 72nd minute: Katie Bowen served the ball from the right side for Jónsdóttir who connected with the first-time shot to score her second of the evening.
URFC: Gunny Jónsdóttir, 75th minute: Bowen placed the ball off a corner kick to Jónsdóttir’s head for the finish, and another Bowen to Jónsdóttir combination.
URFC: Trialist, 86th minute: After a set piece, the ball was bounced back and forth as Raisa Strom-Okimito snuck behind the backline, leaving her wide open to receive the ball, and finish the shot past the goalkeeper to the far post.
Match: Utah Royals FC vs. California State University Long Beach
Date: March 20, 2019
Venue: George Allen Field; Long Beach, California
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
Utah Royals FC 0 4 4
Long Beach State University 0 0 0
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC: Nicole Barnhart (Abby Smith 46’); Brittany Ratcliffe (Taylor Lytle 79’), Becky Sauerbrunn, Samantha Johnson (Gaby Vincent 65’), Maddie Nolf (Michelle Maemone 46’); Erika Tymrak (Mandy Laddish 46’), Lo’eau LaBonta (Raisa,Strom-Okimoto 74’), Vero Boquete (Desiree Scott 46’), Gunny Jónsdóttir (Alexandra Kimball 76’), Amy Rodriguez (Katie Bowen 46'); Christen Press (Makenzy Doniak 46’)
