SEATTLE — Since Paige Monaghan was drafted with the No. 10 overall pick by then-Sky Blue FC in the 2019 NWSL college draft, she wasn’t asked to be any of her team’s primary goal scorers.
But she’s shown she can be in her second season with Utah Royals FC.
Ainsley McCammon scored the first goal of her NWSL career, and Sofia Huerta added the 38th of her own as the Seattle Reign clinched a berth in the NWSL playoffs with a 2-1 win Friday night over Utah at Lumen Field.
In between them, Monaghan set a career mark of her own.
Monaghan’s fourth goal of the season is a career-high for a single campaign in her six seasons in the NWSL. The 28-year-old winger came to Utah with limited goal-scoring options, but has found her footing in manager Jimmy Coenraets’ system with the second-most goals on the team behind striker Mina Tanaka’a six.
“I think for me, it’s just been about repetition,” Monaghan said after the match. “I’ve always been the player that repetition helps me be the best I can be.”I really credit the staff taking the time, and then my teammates every time I get the ball and their faith in me.”
Monaghan and her club agreed prior to the season to a contract extension through the 2027 season. Her leadership was the most important role she played on the team, donning the captain’s armband.
The goal production? That’s all bonus — and a welcome one for the team with the fewest goals scored with one match left in the 2025 regular season.
“I think she was upset to miss out on 4-5 months to help her team,” Coenraets said of his captain, a versatile left and right winger who has also played wingback in 2025. “She came back with a mission, and she’s doing an amazing job.”
The Royals (5-13-7, 22 points) were eliminated from playoff contention following last week’s 3-2 home loss to San Diego, a loss that snapped the team’s franchise-record run of eight consecutive matches without a loss.
The Reign, meanwhile, were still in the thick of playoff contention. A win could clinch a berth, even, and had everything to play for a week after club mainstay Lauren Barnes announced her retirement earlier this week after 13 seasons.
But it was Utah that controlled much of the game early, out-shooting the Reign 9-2 and holding Seattle without a shot on goal. That is, up until the second minute of first-half stoppage time — when McCammon broke free to give the hosts a 1-0 halftime lead.
The teenager who captained the United States at last year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup rose up in the penalty box to finish a cross from Maddie Dahlien to score her first career goal with her header.
Monaghan scored a goal from distance in the 60th minute, finishing her fourth goal of the year on a breakaway to equalize just after the hour mark.
Surprising? Ambitious? Maybe for somebody who hasn’t watched Monaghan, who has foul goal contributions in her last six matches. But not for her teammates.
“I see her work every day,” explained Ana Tejada, who moved back to center back for the second straight match in the absence of starter Kaleigh Riehl (hamstring). “She’s really an example for all of us, because she’s our captain. I have so much respect for her.”
For Monaghan, there are no boring goals. Every one of them is to be appreciated after she started 13 of her 15 matches this season.
“I think for me, it’s just been repetition,” Monaghan said. “I’ve always been the player that repetition helps me be the best I can be.”I really credit the staff taking the time, and then my teammates every time I get the ball and their faith in me.”
Huerta helped the Reign (10-7-8, 38 points) re-take the lead just five minutes later, converting from the penalty spot after video review for a foul in the box just after the 65th minute to put Seattle back in front.
Utah out-shot the Reign 13-8, including four shots on target, and maintained 54% of possession in the loss.
The Royals close the seasons Sunday, Nov. 2 against the Washington Spirit. Kickoff at America First Field in Sandy will be announced at a later date.
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