Amy Rodriguez goal lifts Utah Royals FC over Sky Blue FC in NWSL Challenge Cup

Utah Royals FC forward Amy Rodriguez (8) shoots and scores a goal ahead of Sky Blue FC defender Kaleigh Riehl (2) as the Utah Royals and Sky Blue play in the NWSL Challenge Cup at ZIONS Bank stadium in Herriman on Saturday, July 4, 2020. Utah won 1-0. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

URFC defeated Sky Blue FC 1-0 to improve to 1-0-1 in the tourney

HERRIMAN — All throughout Saturday’s first half between Utah Royals FC and Sky Blue FC at Zions Bank Stadium, URFC was on the front foot and had essentially all the space it wanted to attack in the final third.

Time and again, URFC got close to finding the net, with Vero Boquete being effective in distribution near goal and Amy Rodriguez being especially dangerous in creating chances.

Finally in the 41st minute, the duo connected for a goal, the lone score in the contest. Boquete got a pass from Brittany Ratcliffe in the middle of the field about 30 yards from goal and at the same time, Rodriguez made a run with SBFC’s back line a bit high.

Boquete slotted a beautiful ball right past SBFC into the 18-yard box, and Rodriguez got on the end of it, sending it past goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan into the right side of the net.

The victory is URFC’s first in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup after it drew with the Houston Dash in its opener.

While URFC ended up tallying just one goal, it controlled the entire match as the SBFC attack never really got going. At halftime, URFC had seven shots to just two for the opponent and two shots on goal to zero. By game’s end, URFC had 14 total shots to SBFC’s four and four shots on goal to none for SBFC.

Abby Smith got the shutout in goal for URFC.

This story will be updated.

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