SANDY, Utah (Friday, August 14, 2026) – Utah Royals FC (11-6-3, 36 points, 2nd NWSL) secured a 3-2 victory against Bay FC (5-10-4, 19 points, 14th NWSL) on Friday night at America First Field. The win set a new club record for wins in a season with 11.
Royals Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets made one personnel and one positional change following Utah’s 2-1 loss on the road to Denver Summit FC. Captain Paige Cronin returned to the starting line-up, replacing Mexican international Kiana Palacios, while Cece Delzer shifted inside from winger to midfielder.
The scoring started off early in the sixth minute, Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn was quickly closed down by Bay forward Karlie Lema. Lema timed her slide tackle perfectly as McGlynn went to clear the ball, with the ball deflecting off Lema and into the back of the net for the first goal of the game.
The Royals answered back immediately, throwing bodies forward directly after kickoff in search of an equalizer. Cece Delzer found a pocket of space in the box to spin around before firing a close shot toward goal. The rebound was deflected into the path of the advanced right back Miyabi, whose composed finish went through the keeper’s legs to make it 1-1 in the seventh minute. It was Miyabi’s first Royals goal in her first season with the club.
15 minutes later, Canadian international Cloé Lacasse rolled the ball backward to an onrushing Narumi. The Japanese international took a few touches forward before seizing on the space given to her for a strike from distance. Bay goalkeeper Silkowitz tried to use her large frame in a diving attempt to stop the shot, but in the end, the power and height of the shot were too much even for the six foot shot stopper to keep out, as Utah would score its second of the match.
Bay FC would equalize off a corner, as midfielder Hannah Bebar would get the initial header and redirect the ball to the back post, where center back Heather Gilchrist flew in unmarked with a strong header to level the game at 2-2. A back-and-forth game with both teams creating multiple scoring opportunities, however the score would remain tied heading into half time.
The second half continued with more end-to-end action, with both sides winning early corners in an attempt to break the deadlock. Mina Tanaka won a penalty kick in the 74th minute using some fancy footwork to bait the Bay defender into making a dangerous challenge inside the penalty box. The Japanese international would see her first penalty kick saved, however she would dispatch her second attempt to give Utah the lead. Tanaka would join Lacasse as the pair have contributed to 10+ goals this season and became the third Japanese player to score for the Royals in the match.
In the 80th minute, Utah Native Courtney Brown would sub in for her 50th NWSL appearance. Nearly scoring with one of her first touches of the game, almost converted a one-on-one chance late in the second half. Brown’s fresh legs and energy helped the Royals create late chances, with her relentless front press that made it difficult for Bay FC to get up the pitch, as the home team would hang onto the 3-2 lead.
The Royals head on the road to take on San Diego Wave FC on Friday, August 21, streaming on Prime Video at 8:00 p.m. MT. Before heading to Orlando to face the Pride on Saturday 29, streaming on NWSL+ with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 p.m. MT.
UTA 3 : 2 BAY
BAY: Karlie Lema (Unassisted) 6’: Goal Keeper Mandy McGlynn was caught with the ball at her feet as the Bay forward slid to intercept the pass, sending it directly into the back of the net.
UTA: Miyabi (Unassisted) 7’: An immediate answer from the Royals as a deflected shot found its way to Miyabi, who calmly finished through the keeper’s legs.
UTA: Narumi (Cloé Lacasse) 22’: A clever pass backward to an oncoming Narumi, who didn’t hesitate to create enough space to score a long range strike.
BAY: Heather Gilchrist (Hannah Bebar) 29’: Off a corner kick, an initial flick on near the penalty area to the back post, where Gilchrist had a wide-open header.
UTA: Mina Tanaka (Unassisted) 79’: After seeing her first penalty kick saved, Tanaka shot to the same side, sending the goalkeeper the other way and scoring her third penalty kick of the season.
LINEUPS:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Mandy McGlynn; Miyabi, Kate Del Fava, Kaleigh Riehl (Tatumn Milazzo, 61’), Nuria Rábano; Narumi, Ana Tejada (Madison Hammond, 61’), Cece Delzer (Courtney Brown, 79); Cloé Lacasse, Mina Tannaka, Paige Cronin ⓒ (Brecken Mozingo, 79)
Subs not used: Mia Justus, Kameron Simmonds, Dayana Pierre-Louis, Alexa Spaanstra, Ali Swensen
Head Coach: Jimmy Coenraets
Bay FC (4-3-3): Jordan Silkowitz; Sydney Collins ⓒ, Aldana Cometti (Joelle Anderson, 88’), Heather Gilchrist (Jenna Nighswonger, 62’), Maddie Moreau; Hannah Bebar, Claire Hutton, Kennedy Fuller; Taylor Huff (Cristiana Girelli, 88’), Karlie Lema (Agostina Holzheier, 82’), Alex Pfeiffer (Keira Barry, 62’)
Subs not used: Kelli Hubly, Dorian Bailey, Caroline Conti, Emmie Allen
Head Coach: Emma Coates
Stats Summary: UTA / BAY
Possession: 51 / 49
Shots: 12 / 10
Shots on Goal: 6 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 15 / 8
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
BAY: Jenna Nighswonger (Yellow Card - 72’)
Photo Assets — Please Credit Utah Royals FC
URFC Next Home Match: 9/4 @ America First Field
Utah Royals take on Boston Legacy FC at home! Secure your seats for an unforgettable match at America First Field.
