Utah Royals settle for 1-1 draw in Seattle in 1st match under interim coach


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

SEATTLE — Interim head coach Jimmy Coenraets chose to not make any changes to the Utah Royals' starting lineup on Sunday in Seattle for his debut at the helm after a week full of changes in the organization.

The result was more of the same, with the team's second consecutive draw, albeit with one more goal scored and one more conceded than last week in Sandy.

"Our goal today was not really about beating Seattle, it was more of how can we make a step forward," Coenraets said. "Comparing ourselves today with the team that we were last week."

The Utah goal came from the team's No. 1 overall draft pick and singular offensive star to this point: Ally Sentnor. The former Tar Heels player was a pest in the attacking third all afternoon for the Seattle Reign (2-9-5) and turned one of her midfield takeaways into a strong strike into the upper corner of the goal in the 67th minute.

The 20-year-old rookie leads the team in goals and assists with three of each through the first 16 games of her professional career.

"She's one of the players that is able to just play," Coenraets said of Sentnor. "She comes on the pitch and is really able to make an action to go into those one-on-ones; and I think that's the kind of player Ally is."

Seattle scored eight minutes later on a deflected clearance by Utah defender Ana Tejada, and the two bottom teams in the NWSL survived 10 minutes of stoppage time to end in a stalemate.

Utah (2-11-3) had a chance to pass Seattle in the standings with a win but will remain in last place with 9 points to Seattle's 11 heading into a seven-week regular season break.

The Royals will continue to play during the break, however, with the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup beginning on July 19 against the Reign in Seattle.

Most recent Real Salt Lake stories

Related topics

Real Salt LakeSports
Caleb Turner covers Real Salt Lake as the team's beat writer for KSL.com Sports. He also oversees the sports team's social media accounts.
KSL.com Beyond Series

KSL Weather Forecast

KSL Weather Forecast
Play button