SANDY, Utah: Ashley Sanchez has joined elite company in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) history, scoring her 20th goal of the 2026 season to tie the league’s single-season scoring record. Sanchez converted a penalty in the 37th minute against the Utah Royals on Sunday, becoming only the second player in NWSL history to reach 20 goals in a single regular season. The record was previously set by Temwa Chawinga of the Kansas City Current in 2024. The milestone came despite a disappointing result for Sanchez and the North Carolina Courage, who fell 2-1 to the Utah Royals at America First Field.
Utah opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Cloé Lacasse headed the ball across goal and into the net following a cross from Miyabi. North Carolina responded 20 minutes later after Gianna Paul drew a foul inside the penalty area. Sanchez stepped up and calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 37th minute to make it 1-1. The goal was Sanchez’s 20th of the season and her 27th career regular-season goal for the Courage. She also reached 24 goal contributions for the season, the second-highest total recorded in a single NWSL season.
With four regular-season matches still to play, Sanchez has an opportunity to become the first player in NWSL history to score more than 20 goals in a single season. The 27-year-old forward currently leads the league’s Golden Boot race with 20 goals. Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda is second with 16 goals. Sanchez has enjoyed a remarkable season. Earlier this month, she set the record for most goals by an American player in a single NWSL season, surpassing the previous mark of 15 held by Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn.
Despite Sanchez’s historic goal, North Carolina could not secure a point. Cece Delzer restored Utah’s lead in the 65th minute, scoring from Mina Tanaka’s assist. The Royals held on through the final whistle to claim a 2-1 victory. The defeat left the Courage with a 12-11-3 record and four regular-season matches remaining. North Carolina sits just one point and one place outside the playoff positions.
The Courage will next travel to face the Seattle Reign, with the match scheduled for Friday night. For Sanchez, however, the focus will be on history. With four games remaining, she needs just one more goal to claim the NWSL single-season scoring record outright.
Final Score: Utah Royals 2-1 North Carolina Courage
Goals:
17′ — Cloé Lacasse (Utah)
37′ — Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina, penalty)
65′ — Cece Delzer (Utah)
