Photo Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
The Utah Royals defeated the Orlando Pride 2-1 on Saturday behind a goal and record-tying assist from Canadian forward Cloé Lacasse.
After conceding first in the final minutes of the first half, Utah came out of the halftime break firing. Lacasse netted the equalizer just five minutes into the second half, putting the finishing touch on a perfectly weighted cross from Kiana Palacios. It was Lacasse’s seventh goal of the season.
Twenty minutes later, the well-known Royals press paid off in the form of a game-winning goal. Lacasse showcased impressive footwork and dribbling to lose her defender and cross the ball centrally for veteran forward Paige Cronnin to take the 2-1 lead.
The assist gave Lacasse 10 so far this season, tying the all-time NWSL single-season assist record jointly held by Tobin Heath (2016) and Croix Bethune (2024). Heath achieved the mark in 15 games, Bethune in 17, while Lacasse has played 21 this season. Some other players are similarly close to tying the record this season as Bethune and Pietra Tordin both sit on nine assists in 2026.
Pride forward Barbra Banda scored for Orlando in the 44th minute, her first goal since returning from WAFCON. The tally marked her 13th goal of the season, keeping her in second place in the Golden Boot race behind Ashley Sanchez’s 15 scores.
The hard-fought victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Royals. Utah’s win also marked their first-ever season sweep over Orlando as they continue their franchise-best season.
