OL Reign Take Down Utah Royals FC On Late Goal In NWSL Challenge Cup

HERRIMAN, Utah – The OL Reign defeated Utah Royals FC on a late goal as the two teams entered stoppage time at the NWSL Challenge Cup.

The match between OL Reign and Utah Royals FC took place on Wednesday, July 8 at Zions Bank Stadium. It was Utah’s third match of the NWSL tournament.

Shortly after officials added a few minutes of stoppage time, OL Reign’s Bethany Balcer received a pass from Yuka Nicole Momiki and knocked a header into the back of the net.

The goal pushed OL Reign ahead of Utah 1-0 after 90 minutes of a 0-0 tie.

.@bethanybalcer the hero! 🦸‍♀️@OLReign get their first goal at the #NWSLChallengeCup and their first win.

0-1 | #UTAvRGN

Tune in now on @CBSAllAccess and @Twitch. pic.twitter.com/5AFh69fQwn

— NWSL (@NWSL) July 8, 2020

“I thought it was a lot faster game than we’d seen before. The decision making and space was condensed,” Utah head coach Craig Harrington said after the loss. “For the last 20 minutes I think they really pinned us back a bit and got their chances. Barnhart made some great saves and I think it was a tale of us not being clinical in their box and them being clinical in ours. Which happens and now we’re onto to Chicago.”

Utah was outshot by OL Reign 15-11, although each squad had five shots on goal.

OL Reign had four corner kicks compared to only one by the Royals.

A 🔥 finish to this afternoon's game.#UTAvRGN | #NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/FsJrP1pqIr

— NWSL (@NWSL) July 8, 2020

With the 1-0 decision, Utah experienced its first loss of 2020 and moved to a record of 1-1-1 in the Challenge Cup.

The Royals’ next match is against the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, July 12 at 8 p.m. (MDT).

Utah vs. Chicago will be televised via CBS All Access.