The Utah Royals extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches on Sunday, beating Racing Louisville 2-1 in an NWSL game in Sandy.

The victory kept the Royals (6-2-2) in second place behind the San Diego Wave (7-3-0). The Wave were the last team to beat the Royals, 2-1 on March 22. Since then, the Royals have put together a run of six wins and two draws.

The Royals took a 1-0 lead on Sunday with a Louisville own goal in the 22nd minute. Utah had a fast break off a steal and Kiana Palacios sent a perfect pass to Paige Cronin in the box. Cronin drilled a shot that went off the fingertips of Louisville goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer, then off the leg of Lauren Milliet and into the net.

Louisville’s Kayla Fischer tied game in 68th minute, drilling a shot from the top of the box and getting the ball past diving Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn just inside the left post. It was the first goal the Royals had given up in five matches.

Utah’s Mina Tanaka scored the decisive goal in the 77th minute. The Royals’ Cece Delzer eluded two Louisville defenders on the right side and sent a perfect pass to Tanaka, who drilled the ball past Bloomer.

Racing Louisville fell to 2-6-1 with the loss, sitting in 15th place in the standings.

Utah dominated possession in the game at 65 percent, and had an 18-8 advantage in shots, including a 4-2 edge in shots on goal.

In his second season with the club, Utah head coach Jimmy Coenraets has helped engineer an impressive turnaround for the Royals. Before his arrival, the Royals went 7-15-4 in 2024 and finished in 11th place out of 14 teams. Last year, Utah went 6-13-7 and finished the season in 12th place out of 14 teams.

This year, the Royals are looking like serious contenders for a championship.

Utah is scheduled to return to action against Denver Summit SC on Saturday, May 23 (4:30 p.m., ION), at America First Field.