Barbra Banda Hat Trick Dooms Utah Royals FC In Home Defeat
May 23, 2025, 9:47 PM
(Photo courtesy of Utah Royals FC)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Royals FC)
SANDY, Utah – The Utah Royals put up a good fight, but were ultimately no match for Barbra Banda and the Orlando Pride in a 3-1 loss at America First Field on Friday.
The Girls in Blue and Gold were on the wrong end of history at America First Field. Banda scored all three goals for Orlando within the first 38 minutes — the fastest hat trick in NWSL history.
The loss kept Utah winless in the month of May. Before a 3-3 draw last week, the Royals had lost three straight.
That’s all from home pic.twitter.com/4bNV6JXTag
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) May 24, 2025
First Half
The Royals came out of the gates aggressively, getting two scoring looks in the opening minutes.
Orlando quickly used that to their advantage, turning around for an early counterattack in the sixth. Barbra Banda capped off the push after Ally Watt served the NWSL’s leading scorer with a perfect cross.
The early goal spelled disaster for Utah. The Royals came into the match 0-4 when conceding first, while Orlando was a perfect 6-0 when they opened scoring.
That one touch finish 🤌
Ally Watt serves Barbra Banda the perfect ball to finish! pic.twitter.com/NkVPjvFXuF
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 24, 2025
However, Utah quickly threatened to bump that trend.
They put together their own counter in the 14th minute. Claudia Zornoza set Brecken Mozingo up with a great through ball, and she did the rest, finding the bottom right corner to equalize.
The goal was Mozingo’s second in two games.
RELATED: Brecken Mozingo Equalizes Early For Royals Against Orlando Pride
Claudia Zornoza slips the ball right through for Brecken Mozingo to finish for the Utah Royals! pic.twitter.com/yCGMFPEwRF
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 24, 2025
The rest of the half played out in favor of the Pride. But the Royals wouldn’t go out without a fight.
In the 26th minute, Mandy McGlynn and Nuria Rábano stonewalled an Orlando attack with two straight sliding saves.
McGlynn had a solid half, at least through the first 30′, laying out to make four saves.
a 2-for-1 special ✨ https://t.co/v8Dmyff7xe pic.twitter.com/dm8NG7NBwu
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) May 24, 2025
Orlando, and specifically Banda, turned up the heat to close out the half.
She scored back-to-back goals in the 37th and 38th minutes, increasing the Pride’s road lead to 3-1.
The Royals attempted to respond but ultimately went into the half empty-handed.
Down at the break pic.twitter.com/CSQhAE3BpC
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) May 24, 2025
Second Half
The second 45′ came with its positives and negatives for both teams.
On the bright side, Utah picked up the defensive intensity and held Orlando scoreless. However, they were unable to break through on the other end.
The most threatening chance came just after the 60th minute. Both Ally Sentnor and Cece Kizer put shots on frame, but Anna Moorhouse was able to make two saves, one in the center of the goal and the other in the bottom right corner.
For the next 25 minutes, Orlando was able to get off four attempts while forcing Utah into nothing but giveaways and one rushed shot that sailed over the crossbar.
Six minutes of stoppage time were added, but the result was left untouched.The Royals fell to 1-2-7 on the season with a 3-1 loss to Orlando at home.
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The Utah Royals will head to Lynn Family Stadium to take on Racing Louisville FC on Friday, June 6. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. MT.
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