Denver Summit FC responded to a difficult midweek result in dramatic fashion, defeating third-place Utah Royals FC 2-1 Saturday at Centennial Stadium behind Janine Sonis‘ historic stoppage-time free kick.
Playing before 11,559 fans, Denver improved to 6-7-5 with 23 points and earned some revenge against a Utah side that defeated the Summit by the same 2-1 score in May.
After a scoreless opening half, Denver finally broke through in the 52nd minute. Yazmeen Ryan scored her fourth goal of the season, with Sonis providing the assist. It was Ryan’s first goal since July 13 against Houston and her second against Utah this season after also scoring in the May 23 meeting.
The lead appeared destined to hold as Denver’s defense weathered considerable Utah pressure. The Royals finished with 18 shots and registered 32 touches inside the opposition penalty area, but the Summit limited them to just three shots on target.
Utah eventually found its equalizer in the 89th minute through Zoe Milazzo, seemingly rescuing a point for the visitors and setting up a frustrating finish for Denver.
Sonis had other plans.
Four minutes into second-half stoppage time, the Denver captain stepped up for a free kick and delivered the game-winning goal. It was the first direct free-kick goal in Summit history and only the fourth scored in the NWSL this season.
The strike also represented Denver’s latest goal of the season and completed an impressive individual night for Sonis, who finished with a goal and an assist. She now has a career-high 11 goal contributions this season and has played a direct role in Denver scoring in each of its last four home matches in which the Summit found the net, recording four goals and two assists during that stretch.
Denver’s victory also featured a piece of league history for defender Kaleigh Kurtz. The veteran made her 150th career regular-season appearance and became the first field player in league history to start each of her first 150 appearances. Goalkeepers Jane Campbell and Kailen Sheridan are the only other players to reach 150 appearances while starting every match.
Head coach Nick Cushing’s side made three changes to the starting lineup following Wednesday’s loss to North Carolina, bringing Yuna McCormack, Natalie Means and Ally Brazier into the XI. McCormack made her sixth start of the season and first since May 3.
For Denver, the victory was about more than three points. After conceding an equalizer in the final minutes against one of the league’s top teams, the Summit responded immediately rather than settling for a draw.
And Sonis made sure the response was a historic one.
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