Gotham clinch first regular-season Shield with victory over Utah
Gotham beat Utah Royals 2-0 on the final day of the National Women’s Soccer League regular season to secure their first Shield. Guro Reiten opened the scoring and substitute Jaedyn Shaw added the second. Gotham finished on 61 points, while Utah reached the playoffs for the first time and will visit San Diego.
Sports··Midday
Gotham finish the season with the Shield
Gotham secured the Shield, the award for the best regular-season finish in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League, by beating Utah Royals 2-0. The victory came on the last day of the regular season. It was Gotham’s first Shield.[1], [2]
Gotham completed the campaign with 61 points from 18 victories, seven defeats and five draws. Utah finished seventh on 47 points, with 14 wins, 11 losses and five draws. The Royals still reached the playoffs for the first time.[1]
Reiten opens the scoring, Shaw adds the second
Guro Reiten put Gotham ahead in the ninth minute after Midge Purce’s cross deflected off the defence. Utah’s Miyabi tried a volley early in the game, but goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger saved it.[1]
Jaedyn Shaw entered in the 60th minute. Eight minutes later she missed the target, then scored later in the match after Purce created the opening. Utah could not find a reply.[1]
Utah head to San Diego for playoff debut
Utah will visit San Diego for a quarter-final on November 6. Coach Jimmy Coenraets had changed three players and one position from the previous goalless draw with Seattle. Narumi and Cece Delzer missed the Gotham game with minor injuries. Hammond played in defensive midfield, Jameese Joseph centrally behind the attack, Miyabi at right-back and Cronin on the wing.[1]
