Late Houston Goal Helps Dash Sprint Past Utah Royals FC
Apr 25, 2025, 8:09 PM
The Utah Royals FC starting XI before facing the Houston Dash on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Utah Royals)
(Utah Royals)
HOUSTON, Texas – A late goal dashed the Utah Royals’ hopes of a two-match winning streak as the club fell 1-0 to Houston. It was the third time in four matches that Utah has been shut out.
The Royals (1-4-1, 4 points) were in the Lone Star State to face the Houston Dash (2-3-1, 7 points) at Shell Energy Stadium on Friday, April 25.
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Back at home next week pic.twitter.com/FhwEp6YoPl
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) April 26, 2025
First Half
Cece Kizer entered the starting lineup in her second game with Utah.
Ready for lift off with our Starting XI 🚀#HOUvUTA | @Intermountain pic.twitter.com/Jyal6yK4Ge
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) April 25, 2025
Both squads spent the first ten minutes sizing up each other’s strategy. Utah earned the first corner, but Ally Sentnor’s low, right-footed swing was cleared away harmlessly.
Sentnor was credited with the only shot attempt through 20 minutes.
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Danielle Colaprico earned the first yellow of the night when she took out Sentnor in the 27th minute. The former No. 1 overall NWSL pick unleashed a powerful shot on the free kick that Jane Campbell easily stopped.
Utah’s Claudia Zornoza was forced off the pitch after a first-half leg injury. Lauren Flynn came on to replace her.
Deadlocked at the halftime whistle pic.twitter.com/K72fdPuYy3
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) April 26, 2025
Houston ended the scoreless half with three shot attempts, while Utah had two.
Second Half
Utah had a beautiful build five minutes into the second, but came up empty when Janni Thomsen sailed a right-footed shot over the crossbar.
Sentnor took a rip in the 55th minute that Campbell knocked away. Moments later, Brecken Mozingo beat the Houston back line before her chip shot over Campbell was too high.
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Brecken Mozingo almost gets the chip🤏 pic.twitter.com/cd9VAp7MOj
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 26, 2025
Mandy McGlynn made a diving save in the 59th minute to keep Houston off the scoreboard. After the Dash broke Utah’s backline, McGlynn came up high to knock the ball away, keeping the game at 0-0.
Three minutes later, McGlynn looked to be in danger, but Houston’s shot location allowed the keeper to punch it away easily.
70' | mandy appreciation post!!#HOUvUTA | 0-0 pic.twitter.com/tj9izeK96r
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) April 26, 2025
On the other end, Mozingo put back-to-back shots on frame as the Royals began pushing forward with pace.
A free kick in the 80th minute allowed Houston to take a 1-0 lead. After Utah failed to clear the ball, Delanie Sheehan rocketed a ball over the outstretched fingertips of McGlynn for the goal.
Houston held on for the 1-0 win.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
