Amy Rodriguez scored in the 41st minute and the Utah Royals defeated Sky Blue 1-0 on Saturday in a group stage match of the National Women's Soccer League's Challenge Cup tournament.

Rodriguez took a cross from Vero Boquete on a perfectly timed run and evaded three defenders for the goal at Zions Bank Stadium.

After scoring, Rodriguez pointed to her two sons in the stands. While the tournament is being played without fans, Rodriguez has been in quarantine with her family at home in Utah.

It was the first victory for new Royals coach Craig Harrington.

WATCH | Rodriguez scores the game's lone goal:

Amy Rodriguez scores 1st half marker as Royals edge Sky Blue

Amy Rodriguez scored the lone goal as the Utah Royals FC skipped past Sky Blue FC 1-0.

The Royals are playing without forward Christen Press, who opted out of the tournament. Sky Blue is missing fellow U.S. national team players Carli Lloyd and Mallory Pugh because of injuries.

14 Canadians set to play as NWSL becomes 1st pro league in North America to restart

FIFA World Cup champions, Olympic medallists and 14 Canadians will be among the first North American professional athletes to resume play when the National Women's Soccer League's Challenge Cup kicks off Saturday in Utah.

Portland Thorns forward Christine Sinclair is shown celebrates scoring a goal in this 2017 file photo. The National Women's Soccer League's Challenge Cup kicks off Saturday in Utah.

NWSL Pride Thorns Soccer

Canadian Desiree Scott pulls out of NWSL's Challenge Cup for personal reasons

It's been a topsy-turvy four months since COVID-19 put the sports world on hold. For Canadian national team midfielder Desiree Scott, it's been full of uncertainty. As her Utah Royals begin a Challenge Cup journey, the 32-year-old Winnipeg native said she will not be playing.

Canadian midfielder Desiree Scott of the NWSL's Utah Royals during a match in 2019. In a tweet posted Tuesday, the 32-year-old announced she would not be participating in the league's Challenge Cup for personal reasons.

desiree-scott-06-30-20

The Royals opened the tournament with a 3-3 draw against Houston on Tuesday. Sky Blue (0-1-1) played to a scoreless draw against OL Reign in its opener.

The North Carolina Courage sit atop the tournament standings with two wins. The Royals moved into second. Results in the group stage will determine seeding for the knockout round.

Amy Rodriguez (8) of Utah Royals FC scores a goal during a game against the Sky Blue FC on day 4 of the NWSL Challenge Cup at Zions Bank Stadium on July 4, 2020 in Herriman, Utah.

Utah Royals down Sky Blue in NWSL's Challenge Cup

More Stories Like This