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SALT LAKE CITY<\/em> \u2013 The Utah Royals FC continued their recent stretch of solid play, picking up their third win of the season over the Houston Dash.<\/p>\n Kaleigh Riehl gave Utah the upper hand in the first five minutes, and Paige Monaghan doubled the lead just before halftime.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Three cheers for +3 at home!! pic.twitter.com\/PA0nJWy0yw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) September 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The tone for the match was set very early on as Kate Del Fava set up for a corner kick.<\/p>\n She put the ball on the far side of the net, and Clo\u00e9 Lacasse was there to head it back to the opposite post. Riehl was there to bang it into the back of the net.<\/p>\n The goal wasn\u2019t just her first of the season and first as a member of the Royals; it was her first NWSL goal in over three years.<\/p>\n Hoped y\u2019all tuned in early!!! pic.twitter.com\/XMvxoKRW8k<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) September 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Maybe more impressive than the Royals\u2019 synergy on offense was the teamwork on defense.<\/p>\n This wasn\u2019t just a trend in this game either; Utah\u2019s effort on that end has been much improved over the last two months. Since the start of August, they\u2019ve allowed just four goals in seven games.<\/p>\n In the first half against Houston, the Dash had just two shot attempts, and neither was on target.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019 lead from long range.<\/p>\n That\u2019s three goals in three games for Paige. And we are sooooo here for it!! pic.twitter.com\/60QTiGSFxx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) September 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Utah would take the 2-0 lead into the halftime break.<\/p>\n The second half was a mirror image of the first.<\/p>\n Houston\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2032.<\/p>\n The Dash took three shots after the break, and none were on target.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The final whistle blew, and Utah improved to 3-6-11 with its second win in the last two and a half weeks.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Live radio calls of every game can be found on\u00a0KSLSports.com<\/a>. Select games will be broadcast on the\u00a0KSL Sports Zone<\/a>\u00a0(97.5 FM\/1280 AM)\u00a0and\u00a0KSL NewsRadio<\/a>\u00a0(102.7 FM\/1160 AM).<\/p>\n\n
First Half<\/h3>\n
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Second Half<\/h3>\n
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Chandler Holt is a co-host of the<\/i><\/b> Jazz Notes podcast<\/i><\/b><\/a>, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for<\/i><\/b> KSLSports.com<\/i><\/b><\/a>. Follow<\/i><\/b> Chandler on X<\/i><\/b><\/a> for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.<\/i><\/b><\/h5>\n
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