Press, Royals Snap Skid With Win Over Sky Blue FC
Aug 7, 2019, 10:07 PM
Royals players celebrate after a goal by Utah Royals FC forward Christen Press (23) as the Salt Lake Royals and Sky Blue FC play at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
SANDY, Utah – Utah Royals FC finally snapped their six-match winless streak with a 3-0 win over Sky Blue FC at Rio Tinto Stadium.
It’s only the second time in club history that Utah has scored 3 or more goals in one game.
Royals goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart picked up her league-best seventh clean sheet.
Christen Press scored two goals in the first half with Amy Rodriguez knocking in the third goal in the second half.
Press’ first goal came in the 27th minute on the counter attack with Lo’eau LaBonta setting up Press with a through ball and Press slightly touched the ball before getting it into the back of the net.
* Chef’s kiss * MAGNIFIQUE 👩🍳 pic.twitter.com/1LyxGTYcd6
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) August 8, 2019
Two minutes later, LaBonta had the ball on the right side of the field and played the ball into the box and Press one-time the shot into the goal for a brace.
👩🍳 And don't forget the 🍒 on top pic.twitter.com/iQdD46F3rU
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) August 8, 2019
It’s the fourth and fifth goal this season for Press.
Rodriguez scored in the 48th minute when Mallory Weber ran the ball up the left hand side of the field and played the ball in to the box when Rodriguez one-timed it with her left foot, traveling far post past the goalkeeper to give the Royals a 3-0 lead.
Spicing it up with goal #️⃣3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/2754kUU6lZ
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) August 8, 2019
Rodriguez leads the team with six goals on the season.
The Royals snapped a six match winless streak. They now have 21 points and leap to the sixth spot in the NWSL standings in a tie with Washington for the fifth spot but the Spirit own the tiebreaker.
A win for the 👑 #UTAvNJ | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/gqqz8jBmEe
— NWSL (@NWSL) August 8, 2019
Utah will be on the road on Sunday, August 11 to face the Seattle Reign at 12 p.m. on sports.ksl.com or the KSL TV app.
