SANDY, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – In the second to last home game of the season, the Utah Royals kept their playoff hopes alive for another week, beating the Seattle Reign 3-0 off of a Cloe Lacasse hat trick. Lacasse scored all three goals in the first half of the game for the first hat trick in the NWSL this season.

The game started off fast, with the first goal for the Royals coming in the second minute, off of a corner kick from Claudia Zornoza. Zornoza sent the ball into the box, where chaos ensued until the ball ended up in the back of the net.

One minute later in the third, Reign player Angharad James-Turner received a yellow card for a bad foul. Utah had a few more chances until in the 16th minute James-Turner committed a foul after the ball was stolen from the Reign in a dangerous spot. She fouled and earned a second yellow card, which in turn became a red card, putting Seattle down a player for the remainder of the match.

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The second goal came in the 20th minute. Lacasse once again put the ball in the back of the net, netting her a brace in the game. The Royals remained on the front foot for the rest of the half, getting corners and good chances on goal. In the 45+6 minute, Lacasse finished her hat trick, scoring the third and final goal of the game.

The second half of the game consisted of Utah passing the ball around wasting time. In the end, Utah Royals FC ended with 23 shots with 9 on target, compared to Seattle’s 3 shots with 1 on target.

The Royals could have been eliminated from playoff contention with a loss, but instead live to see another week. They go on the road to face Angel City in Los Angeles. Angel City is also in the hunt for the playoffs. That game can be found on NWSL+ and Paramount+ at 5:30 pm.

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