STILLWATER, Oklahoma — Sunday is the 2019 WPSL Championship Match between Pensacola FC and Utah Royals FC Reserves.
PENSACOLA FC vs. UTAH ROYALS FC RESERVES
FRIDAY'S SEMIFINALS
Pensacola FC 3, Seattle Sounders Women 2
In a rematch of the 2018 WPSL Championship match, Pensacola jumped out to an early led and did not trail for the remainder of the match. Briana Morris scored in the 11th minute, and Uchenna Kanu scored in the 44th minute to give Pensacola a 2-0 lead at the break.
Seattle played much better after the break and ultimately pulled within one with Summer Yates goal in the 64th minute. The momentum was immediately stopped when Molly Rouse scored less than a minute later to give Pensacola a 3-1 lead. Pensacola had to survive a Sounders onslaught in the final 10 minutes after Alex Hobbs' goal in the 81st minute cut the deficit to one. Pensacola goalkeeper Kathryn Scheele made a key near-post save late to earn a 3-2 victory.
Utah Royals FC Reserves 1, Motor City FC 1 (Utah Royals FC Reserves win on penalty kicks 4-2)
Utah wasted no time in scoring in the fourth minute with Amber Marshall kicking in a failed Motor City corner-kick clearance. Motor City then controlled the pace almost the entire first half but scored only once — an own goal in the 27th minute.
The Royals looked the stronger side in the second half, but both clubs settled in defensively for the remainder of the match and extra time. The Royals took command of the penalty shootout after Kaytlin Bradley saved Alexa Spaanstra's attempt in the second round, and Hailey North converted the match-winning penalty in the fifth round to send expansion-side Utah into the finals.
MATCH UPDATES
The WPSL's Twitter and Instagram accounts will have exclusive content and updates throughout the weekend, including starting lineups, scoring plays and player takeovers (Instagram).