Kate Del Fava's late goal carries Royals past Bay FC

Field Level MediaField Level Media|published: Mon 17th June, 24:36 2024
NWSL: Utah Royals FC at Bay FCJun 16, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji (9) plays the ball defended by Utah Royals FC defender Ana Tejeda (17) in the second half at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Kate Del Fava scored a goal in the 89th minute to lead the Utah Royals to a 1-0 victory over Bay FC in San Jose, California, on Sunday night.

Last-place Utah (2-10-1, 7 points) snapped a six-match losing streak and scored for the first time in four matches while earning its first road victory. The Royals also ended a 10-match winless streak while earning their second clean sheet of the season.

Bay FC (4-9-0, 12 points) had prevailed in two of their last three matches before falling to their fellow expansion side.


While Bay FC dominated the attack before halftime, Utah frequently threatened the goal in the second half. The Royals finished with a 11-9 edge in total shots and a 7-4 advantage in shots on frame. They created six of those seven shots after halftime.

Utah finally broke through just before second-half stoppage time when Del Fava leapt high to snag a free kick from Ally Sentnor and headed the ball over Kelly Rowland's outstretched hands. It marked just the seventh goal of the season for the Royals.

Bay FC seemingly secured a go-ahead goal in the 85th when Racheal Kundananji dribbled around a defender and blasted the ball home inside the near post. But Kundananji went offside to snag the ball and set herself up, wiping the goal off the board.

--Field Level Media

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