The spotlight at the Delta Center was fixed on a visiting player during Monday's matchup between the Utah Hockey Club and top-four Washington Capitals.
The California Bay Area native arrived in Utah in 2022 from USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive and had a breakout 2024 season with 12 assists and eight goals.
Hannah Betfort got one back in the 74th minute on an assist by Kate Del Fava to give Utah some hope, but Esther Gonzalez scored a quick brace in the 77th and 84th minutes to run away with the win for Gotham.
The Panthers led 40-0 at halftime and added four more touchdowns in the second half to score the most points in a 5A playoff game since East High scored 70 in 2022.
Diego Luna equalized for RSL in the 73rd and then a cross from Alex Katranis got a favorable touch and bounce for an own-goal game-winner in the 83rd minute.
Spanish Fork running back Kaden Vest has accomplished a lot in his high school career, but the senior reached another milestone in his final regular season game as a Don.
Major League Soccer announced Wednesday several disciplinary decisions for Real Salt Lake surrounding a confrontation with Minnesota United FC on Oct. 2 at America First Field.
Saturday's score gets Luna to 19 total goal contributions on the season and earned RSL the full 3 points to move 5 points clear of Houston for a top-four spot and home-field advantage in the playoffs.
The Royals still face a steep uphill climb to a top-eight spot in the standings — sitting in 12th after a 2-1 road win at Portland — but they don't seem to mind.