Kiana Palacios and Mina Tanaka scored and the Utah Royals defeated the Denver Summit 2-1 on Saturday night in the National Women’s Soccer League, extending their unbeaten streak to nine games.
In other games, the Houston Dash defeated Angel City 2-1 on the road, and North Carolina Courage defeated Racing Louisville 2-1 on the road.
The Royals (7-2-2) are tied with the Portland Thorns at the top of the standings, and the teams are scheduled to play each other in Portland next weekend.
In the 72nd minute, Chloe Lacasse was fouled by Ayo Oke on the left edge of the box, and Tanaka converted the penalty kick to score the goal.
Palacios took advantage of an Eva Gaetino turnover in the 20th minute to score her first NWSL career goal.
Denver (3-4-3) tied the game minutes before halftime when Delaney Sheehan scored on Yazmeen Ryan at the back post.
The Dash defeated Angel City 2-1, earning their first win in 51 days.
Maggie Graham scored in extra time and Houston defeated Angel City, giving the Dash its first win in 51 days.
Graham made a series of one-touch passes in the middle of the field before firing a shot from just outside the box. Houston (4-5-2) ended a six-game winless streak.
Kat Rader brought on Houston in the 17th minute. Angel City (4-5-1) tied the score nine minutes later on Maiara Carolina Niewes’ penalty kick.
Houston was sidelined by goalie Jane Campbell after sustaining a head injury in Wednesday’s game against San Diego. In her place, Caroline Delisle made her first career NWSL start.
North Carolina State achieves 100th regular season win with 2-1 win
Ashley Sanchez scored her seventh goal of the season and Evelyn Ige scored her second goal in two games as North Carolina State defeated Racing Louisville FC for the 100th regular season win in Courage history.
Courage (4-3-3) won its second straight.
Allyn Wright scored in stoppage time for Louisville (2-7-1).
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