Reilyn Turner’s first-half goal stood up and gave the Portland Thorns FC a 1-0 victory against the Utah Royals in a matchup of previously winless teams Friday night at Sandy, Utah.
Goalkeeper Bella Bixby made one save to earn the clean sheet for Portland (1-1-2, 5 points).
Utah (0-3-1, 1 point) had nine shots but put only one on goal and saw its losing streak reach three matches. Mandy McGlynn was credited with two saves.
Turner’s second goal of the season was an unobstructed tap-in.
An intercepted pass by Hina Sugita in Portland’s offensive end helped set up the scoring sequence, which wound down with Sugita’s nifty pass from near the left post. Sugita, after receiving a return pass from Deyna Castellanos, sent the ball to the other side, where Turner had a clear path to knock the ball into the net in the 13th minute.
It was only the third goal in four matches for Portland this season.
The Thorns, combined with a 0-0 draw with the visiting North Carolina Courage on March 29, have gone consecutive matches without allowing a goal.
The Royals were shutout victims for the second match in a row.
With a second-half substitution, midfielder Marie-Yasmine Alidou made her Thorns debut.
–Field Level Media
