Utah Royals Sign Local University Of Utah Midfielder To Short Term Contract
Jun 23, 2020, 9:32 AM

Utah’s Holly Daugirda and Cal’s Abi Kim compete in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Royals FC has signed University of Utah standout midfielder Holly Daugirda just days prior to the start of the NWSL Challenge Cup. Daugirda has signed a short term contract with the club.
“I’m delighted for Holly to earn this opportunity with our club,” URFC Head Coach Craig Harrington said in a statement. “She’s a quality individual that understands what this team means to Utah.”
Welcome, Holly!
📰 https://t.co/uY3iGpAzda pic.twitter.com/zOpCsNzD2w
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) June 23, 2020
During Daugirda’s college career at Utah, she started every game from 2018-2019, notching 81 appearances in which she started 64 of them. Playing in the midfield, Daugirda scored 5 goals while adding 11 assists. She was a Pac-12 All-Academic selection from 2017 to 2019.
Prior to featuring for the University of Utah Daugirda was invited to play for the United States U-19 Women’s National Team and was named to numerous Utah All-State lists having scored 77 goals during her career at Skyline High School.
“I am more than thrilled to have signed with Utah Royals FC,” Daugirda said. “I am excited to represent and compete at the highest level for such a great club. Being a native of Salt Lake City, I am most looking forward to the opportunity to compete in my home community.”
☀️ & 🌑
Learn about all of the doubleheaders during the #ChallengeCup: https://t.co/ksLsCP9lhD#NWSL pic.twitter.com/zcsX9qeMYx
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2020
The 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup campaign kicks off June 27 at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah. Utah Royals FC will face the Houston Dash on June 30, Sky Blue FC on July 4 and OL Reign on July 8 before concluding the Group Stage on July 12 against the Chicago Red Stars.
Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.