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WASHINGTON D.C. — The first foray away from home for the Utah Royals in 2024 did not start well, with a penalty conceded in the 21st minute and a 2-0 halftime deficit to the Washington Spirit.
"Going down against the home team is never fun," head coach Amy Rodriguez said. "You've got to dig yourself out of that hole. ... I wish my team would have started digging a little earlier on in the game. I think in that second half we really started to get in the flow of things and create chances. But overall, I'm so proud of the group."
Young rising star Ally Sentnor pulled some magic out of a hat for her second score of the season to pull a goal back for Utah in the 71st minute, but it wasn't enough in a 2-1 loss to drop Utah to 1-2 on the season.
"It's kind of instinct," Sentnor said of her second goal from distance in two games. "I just want to try to put the ball in the back of the net for the team and when I see space I try to take it and I do like shooting outside the box."
Ally with the absolute clutch goal 😤 pic.twitter.com/9ze5fdRbpb
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) March 31, 2024
The penalty foul in the box was called on former BYU player Olivia Griffitts in her Royals debut filling in for the injured Imani Dorsey at right back. U.S. women's national team player Andi Sullivan buried the shot, and fellow USWNT regular Trinity Rodman provided the assist on the second goal from Ouleymata Sarr to seal the win in the 30th minute.
Utah was able to own 60% of the possession and tie the Spirit in shots on goal with six, but Washington keeper Aubrey Kingsbury came up with five saves to hold onto the lead in front of the home crowd at Audi Field.
"I didn't think that the environment was too hostile. Maybe it's because it was Easter," Rodriguez said. "Some environments tend to be really difficult to play in, so to get our feet wet with this game was all right. I'm so proud of the play and it's still a good foundation for us to build off of."
The Royals return home next to take on the winless Orlando Pride on April 12 at 7:30 p.m. MDT at America First Field.
