The San Diego Wav won a record third consecutive home match, scoring 2-0 against expansion team Utah Royals Wednesday night at Snapdragon Stadium.
San Diego’s Jaedyn Shaw shot a penalty goal past Mandy Haught after a handball call against Paige Monaghan in the 35th minute.
In the 77th minute, Shaw intercepted a ball near the midfield line and slotted a ball to forward Makenzy Doniak, whose left-footed kick found the far post corner.
“We were extremely motivated to go out there and work to win and get three points at home,” Shaw said after the match.
They were the second goals of the season for both Shaw and Doniak.
Shaw’s assist on Doniak’s goal in the 77th minute marked the first time the 19-year-old has both scored and assisted in a match.
Despite injury absences of five starting players, including defenders Naomi Girma and Abby Dahlkemper, players helped maintain a clean sheet for goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
Striker Alex Morgan has been out with an ankle injury suffered April 19 during a 1-0 loss to the Orlando Pride.
On her Instagram page Wednesday, Morgan posted: “Post-training ice for the ankle. Recovery going well and hoping to be back [very] soon.”
It was the second of three matches this week for the Wave (3-3-1, 10 points).
Defender Sierra Enge earned her first start and appearance of the regular season. The Cardiff native played the entire match for her hometown club.
Forward María Sánchez made her first Wave start, playing 70 minutes. The Mexican National Team captain was acquired via trade from Houston Dash on April 20.
San Diego Wave FC hosts NJ/NY Gotham FC at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at Snapdragon Stadium in the club’s AAPI Night, presented by Mostra Coffee. The match will be broadcast on NWSL+.