SANDY, Utah — Cloe Lacasse scored three goals and the Utah Royals beat the Reign 3-0 on Sunday, eliminating Seattle from the National Women's Soccer League Playoffs.
Lacasse, who came to the Royals from Arsenal in August, scored all of her goals in the first half at home in Sandy, Utah. It was the first hat trick in the NWSL this season.
The Canadian forward scored her first two goals in the opening 20 minutes and added another in first-half stoppage time.
The Royals (7-14-3) have won their last three games and sit in 10th in the league standings, below the playoff line but with still hopeful for a shot at the postseason with two games remaining.
The Reign (5-14-5) have lost five straight games. The last time Seattle didn't make the postseason was in 2017. Last year the team went to the NWSL final.
Seattle was hurt when Angharad James-Turner was sent off with her second yellow cars in just the 16th minute.