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SANDY — The Utah Royals returned to NWSL play at America First Field on Friday against fellow expansion team Bay FC after a six-week break for the Olympics.
The return also marked the first official action for Utah's three new summer signings: Claudia Zornoza, Mina Tanaka and Cloe Lacasse. Tanaka and Lacasse played for Japan and Canada, respectively, in the Olympics and arrived at the club this week.
Zornoza and Tanaka made the starting lineup for the Royals, with the latter forcing an own goal by Bay in the 55th minute that ended up being the game-winner in the 2-1 victory for the home side.
"If we were to envision a (perfect) scenario, this would have been the one," interim head coach Jimmy Coenraets said. "Not just winning a game, but also we had to go very deep."
Mina Tanaka's chance gives the Royals another! pic.twitter.com/Ih3PBqoeut
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) August 24, 2024
Both Utah goals came in the first 10 minutes of the second half, with captain Paige Monaghan scoring the other on a distance shot in the 48th minute that marked a league-best eight goals from outside the box this year for the Royals.
Zambian striker Racheal Kundananji got one back for Bay in the 83rd minute, but the Royals held on for just their third win of the season to finally escape last place in the NWSL standings.
Utah plays all four teams immediately above it over the final nine games of the season, and just 6 points separate the Royals from the eighth and final playoff spot currently occupied by Bay.
The turnaround campaign continues on the road next week on Aug. 31 against the Houston Dash.
