Lia Godfrey scored a late goal to secure San Diego Wave FC’s first victory of the 2026 NWSL season, defeating Utah Royals 2-1 at America First Field. The match started with San Diego taking the lead in the 18th minute when Dudinha capitalized on a defensive error to score her sixth goal for the Wave. Utah equalized in the 67th minute through Lara Prasnikar, but the Royals were reduced to ten players after Tatumn Milazzo received a second yellow card. In the closing minutes, Godfrey, who made her professional debut last week, netted the winner after receiving a pass from Kenza Dali. San Diego has now won all four encounters against Utah.
Why It Matters
This match marks an important milestone for San Diego Wave FC as they seek to improve their standings in the NWSL after a challenging start to the season. The victory not only provides momentum but also highlights the impact of new players, such as Lia Godfrey, who is already making significant contributions. Historically, San Diego has been dominant against Utah, which adds to their confidence moving forward. With upcoming matches against strong opponents like Portland Thorns FC and Chicago Stars FC, this win could set the tone for the Wave’s performance in the remainder of the season.
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