HOUSTON – (Friday, September 13, 2019) – Utah Royals FC (9-7-4, 31 points) got a second-half goal from MF Gunny Jónsdóttir, but it wasn’t enough to come back from a two-goal deficit, falling 2-1 to the Houston Dash on Friday at BBVA Stadium.
The goal was the first of the year for Jónsdóttir and first since the inaugural NWSL match for Royals FC in Orlando last season. Sofia Huerta scored both goals for Houston, as Utah fell to 0-2-0 in two matches against the Dash this season.
Early in the first half FW Christen Press nearly opened scoring for Utah in the 12th minute, but the goal was called back due to her being offside. After going back and forth for 15 minutes, the Dash broke through the stalemate when poor clearance from the defense resulted in a goal from Sofia Huerta and Houston went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Huerta added her second of the night in the 62nd minute, darting up the right side before putting her shot past GK Nicole Barnhart for a 2-0 lead. Jónsdóttir pulled one goal back in the 75th minute, connecting on a ball from FW Erika Tymrak to make it 2-1. However, Royals FC couldn’t find the equalizer and ended its unbeaten streak after five straight matches without a loss.
UP NEXT: URFC will continue its two-game road stint and play its second of three matches in one week at Reign FC on Wednesday, September 18 at Cheney Stadium with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
HOU: Sofia Huerta (Kristie Mewis) 27th minute - Rachel Daly sent a pass into the 18-yard box. Utah’s defense attempted to clear the ball but it was intercepted by Kristie Mewis who sent a backheel pass to Sofia Huerta who turned and got a clear shot on goal to put Houston in the lead.
HOU: Sofia Huerta (Rachel Daly) 62nd minute - Rachel Daly sent a pass over Utah’s line of defense which Sofia Huerta was able to run down and drive towards goal, doubling the lead for the Dash.
UTA: Gunny Jónsdóttir (Erika Tymrak) 75th minute – Erika Tymrak got to a loose ball in the box and dropped it back to Gunny Jónsdóttir at the edge of the 18. She put her shot over Jane Campbell’s shoulder and into the net to cut the lead to 2-1.
NOTES:
- Utah Royals FC allowed a goal for the first time in 346 minutes, ending a three-game shutout streak.
- DF Gaby Vincent came on as a sub and played her first minutes as an outside back after previously playing exclusively as a centerback.
- FW Erika Tymrak registered her first assist of the season and second in a URFC kit.
- The loss ended a five-match unbeaten streak for Utah, the longest in club history.
Match: Utah Royals FC vs. Houston Dash
Date: September 13, 2019
Venue: BBVA Stadium; Houston, Texas
Attendance: 4,538
Weather: Sunny and 80 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Utah Royals FC 0 1 1
Houston Dash 1 1 2
HOU: Sofia Huerta (Kristie Mewis) 27’
HOU: Sofia Huerta (Rachel Daly) 62’
UTA: Gunny Jónsdóttir (Erika Tymrak) 75’
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC (4-4-2): Nicole Barnhart; Mallory Weber, Becky Sauerbrunn ©, Rachel Corsie, Katie Bowen (Gaby Vincent 77’); Vero Boquete (Erika Tymrak 68’), Katie Stengel (Gunny Jónsdóttir 61’), Lo’eau LaBonta, Desiree Scott; Amy Rodriguez, Christen Press
Subs not used: Abby Smith, Michelle Maemone, Maddie Nolf, Sydney Miramontez
Houston Dash (4-5-1): Jane Campbell; Allysha Chapman, Amber Brooks, Ally Prisock, Haley Hanson; Kristie Mewis (Cece Kizer 78’), Sophie Schmidt, Kealia Ohai (Ariana Calderon 79’), Sofia Huerta (Cami Privett 90’+2), Christine Nairn; Rachel Daley
Subs not used: Lindsay Agnew, Jamia Fields, Bianca Henniger, Cami Privett
Stats Summary: UTA / HOU
Shots: 15/10
Shots on Goal: 5/4
Saves: 2/3
Corner Kicks: 1/0
Fouls: 5/6
Offside: 1/2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
HOU: Christine Nairn (caution) 87’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Luis Guardia
Assistant Referees: Maggie Short, Kaili Terry
4th Official: Estefania Estrada
