Utah Royals FC Stay Hot, Pick Up Win Over Houston Dash
Sep 14, 2025, 10:34 PM
(Photo courtesy of Utah Royals FC)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Royals FC)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Royals FC continued their recent stretch of solid play, picking up their third win of the season over the Houston Dash.
Kaleigh Riehl gave Utah the upper hand in the first five minutes, and Paige Monaghan doubled the lead just before halftime.
At the end of June, the Royals had one win, 10 losses, and two draws. Since the beginning of August, Utah has two wins, one loss, and four draws in seven games. Two of those wins have come in the last three matches.
Three cheers for +3 at home!! pic.twitter.com/PA0nJWy0yw
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) September 15, 2025
First Half
The tone for the match was set very early on as Kate Del Fava set up for a corner kick.
She put the ball on the far side of the net, and Cloé Lacasse was there to head it back to the opposite post. Riehl was there to bang it into the back of the net.
The goal wasn’t just her first of the season and first as a member of the Royals; it was her first NWSL goal in over three years.
Hoped y’all tuned in early!!! pic.twitter.com/XMvxoKRW8k
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) September 14, 2025
Maybe more impressive than the Royals’ synergy on offense was the teamwork on defense.
This wasn’t just a trend in this game either; Utah’s effort on that end has been much improved over the last two months. Since the start of August, they’ve allowed just four goals in seven games.
In the first half against Houston, the Dash had just two shot attempts, and neither was on target.
Meanwhile, Utah took seven shots with four either forcing a save or finding the back of the net. In the 33rd minute, Lacasse nearly put Utah up by two, but her goal was overturned after a review.
Fast forward to the end of the half, Monaghan got revenge both for Lacasse and an earlier attempt of her own that was saved, and doubled the Royals’ lead from long range.
That’s three goals in three games for Paige. And we are sooooo here for it!! pic.twitter.com/60QTiGSFxx
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) September 14, 2025
Utah would take the 2-0 lead into the halftime break.
Second Half
The second half was a mirror image of the first.
Houston’s offense struggled due to great pressure from Utah, and they made sure their effort was not in vain on the other end of the pitch.
The Royals once again got off seven shots, this time putting three of them on frame. Two of which came in the first 15 minutes of the half, with momentum rolling over from the first 45′.
The Dash took three shots after the break, and none were on target.
By the end of the game, Utah held the time of possession advantage, shots and shots on target advantage, and they tied Houston with four corner kicks.
The final whistle blew, and Utah improved to 3-6-11 with its second win in the last two and a half weeks.
Follow the Utah Royals with KSL Sports
The Utah Royals will stay at home to take on Racing Louisville FC on Friday, September 19. Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. MT.
Live radio calls of every game can be found on sports.ksl.com. Select games will be broadcast on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM/1160 AM).
