Trinity Rodman's first-half goal was all Washington Spirit needed to beat Utah Royals FC 1-0 on Monday, Aug. 17, at America First Field in Sandy, snapping the Royals' momentum after a record-setting stretch.

The loss came just one day after the Royals routed North Carolina Courage 4-1 on the road, a match that produced a club-record four set-piece goals. Utah entered Monday's contest having won 12 games this season, extending the franchise wins record set Aug. 14 against Bay FC, and sitting second in the NWSL standings.

Washington, ranked among the league's top three, brought a different test. Head coach Jimmy Coenraets responded by starting veteran defender Kaleigh Riehl, who made her first appearance since recovering from a calf injury.

An hour-long weather delay pushed kickoff back, but the Sandy crowd grew louder after the wait.

The energy wasn't enough early. Spirit forward Paige Metayer made a commanding run down the right flank and whipped a cross through the six-yard box, where Rodman finished with a left-footed tap-in at the far post. The Royals nearly answered before halftime when golden boot leader Cloe Lacasse went down after colliding with a Washington defender inside the penalty area. Officials reviewed the play through VAR but upheld the no-penalty call.

Utah dominated the second 45 minutes, holding Washington to a single shot. Defender Nuria Rabano sent a cross to the head of Kiana Palacios, whose header drifted wide. Mina Tanaka's left-footed delivery barely missed the outstretched foot of Cece Delzer. In the final minutes, Lara Prasnikar fired a shot that Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver parried away. MacIver finished with four saves.

"I think we had a clear two or three chances, like Kiana's chance with her header," Coenraets said after the match, according to the Deseret News. He added that his coaching focus remains on putting the team "in the best position to win and compete."

The result leaves the Royals searching for answers in front of their home fans despite controlling play for long stretches. Utah heads to San Diego Wave FC on Friday, Aug. 21, at 8 p.m. MT on Prime Video. The next home match at America First Field is Sept. 4.