Down to the final 20 seconds of play and staring at a humiliating loss, Utah Royals FC stunningly secured a point when Amy Rodriguez’s blast from just outside the penalty area slammed into the left side of the net for a 2-2 tie with Sky Blue FC on Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.
Katie Johnson had given winless Sky Blue a 2-0 lead with goals in the 14th and 48th minutes. An own goal by Sky Blue’s Dominique Richardson made it 2-1 in the 58th minute, giving the Royals some hope.
Just when it looked as if Sky Blue (0-14-5) would be able to hold on for its first victory of the season, the Royals (7-7-8) struck in the fourth minute of extra time.
Christen Press had control of the ball in the penalty area, but with four Sky Blue players rushing at her, she passed back to Rodriguez, standing just outside the box, for the equalizer that kept Utah’s playoff hopes alive.
