SANDY, Utah – (Wednesday, September 25, 2019) – Utah Royals FC (9-9-4, 31 points) fall out of playoff position after 2-1 loss to Reign FC.
Despite out-shooting and out-possessing the Reign, Utah was only able to get one goal on the board courtesy of FW Katie Stengel, assisted by MF Vero Boquete.
The first half started out slow for Utah and despite several chances on goal the team was unable to break through Reign goalkeeper Casey Murphy. The team’s best chance at goal came in the 36th minute when FW Christen Press had back-to-back shots on goal, ultimately ending with the ball hitting the post. Just minutes later Reign countered and got the first goal of the match from rookie Bethany Balcer, assisted by Jodie Taylor.
Halfway into the second half Stengel got the Royals back in the game when a scramble inside the box led to a close-range shot on goal, assisted by Boquete. The equalizer served as a catalyst for both team’s offense as each had several chances on goal in meer minutes. In the final minutes of regular-time forward Jodie Taylor hit a volley in front of goal to take the victory.
UP NEXT: URFC will continue its two-game road stint against the Chicago Red Stars in the team’s second-to-last match of the season on Saturday, September 28 at 6:00 p.m. MT at SeatGeek Stadium.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RFC: Bethany Balcer (Jodie Taylor) 40th minute: With the ball bouncing through the air, Jodie Taylor sent a chip over Utah’s backline to an oncoming Bethany Balcer who took a touch and sent the ball into the lower left corner past GK Nicole Barnhart.
UTA: Katie Stengel (Vero Boquete) 67th minute: After being awarded a free kick in the team’s final third MF Desiree Scott was able to send a long ball into the head of DF Becky Sauerbrunn who sent the ball into the ground, causing a scramble inside the box. MF Vero Boquete got a toe on the ball and FW Katie Stengel swooped in and hammered it into the back of the net for the equalizer.
RFC: Jodie Taylor (Darian Jenkins) 86th minute: In the final moments Darian Jenkins won a header which she was able to flick towards Jodie Taylor who struck the ball on the volley to secure the game-winner.
NOTES:
- The match was originally scheduled for September 18, but was postponed due to extreme weather, creating unplayable conditions on the pitch.
- Head Coach Laura Harvey selected to start MF Gunny Jónsdóttir at rightback, a position previously played by DF Katie Bowen, it was the first time the Iceland native had played the position for Utah.
- After starting on the bench last match due to injury, MF Vero Boquete returned to the starting lineup.
- FW Katie Stengel netted her second goal of the season, both of which have come against Reign FC at Cheney Stadium.
- MF Vero Boquete earned her sixth assist of the season, tied for the second-most in the league with Debinha and Jaelene Hinkle, both of whom play for North Carolina Courage.
Match: Utah Royals FC vs. Reign FC
Date: Sept. 25, 2019
Venue: Cheney Stadium; Tacoma, Washington
Attendance: 5,015
Weather: Clear and 65 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Utah Royals FC 0 1 1
Reign FC 1 1 2
RFC: Bethany Balcer (Jodie Taylor) 40’
UTA: Katie Stengel (Vero Boquete) 67’
RFC: Jodie Taylor (Darian Jenkins) 86’
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC (4-4-2): Nicole Barnhart; Mallory Weber, Becky Sauerbrunn ©, Rachel Corsie, Gunny Jónsdóttir;Vero Boquete, Katie Stengel (Katie Bowen 84’), Lo’eau LaBonta, Desiree Scott; Amy Rodriguez, Christen Press
Subs not used: Abby Smith, Maddie Nolf, Gaby Vincent, Erika Tymrak, Raise Strom-Okimoto, Michelle Maemone
Reign FC (4-3-3): Casey Murphy; Celia Jiménez Delgado, Rebecca Quinn, Lauren Barnes ©, Steph Catley; Kristen McNabb, Beverley Yanez, Allie Long (Rumi Utsugi 82’); Bethany Balcer (Ifeoma Onumonu 52’), Jodie Taylor (Stephanie Cox 90’), Darian Jankins
Subs not used: Lydia Williams, Theresa Nielsen, Rosie White, Shea Groom
Stats Summary: UTA / RFC
Shots: 14/10
Shots on Goal: 8/5
Saves: 3/7
Corner Kicks: 4/6
Fouls: 12/14
Offside: 1/0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RFC: Kristen McNabb 77’ (caution)
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Assistant Referees: Salma Perez, Melissa Beck
4th Official: Chad Stewart
