Las Vegas Lights FC defeated Sacramento Republic FC 2-1 on Saturday night at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Kieran Phillips gave the visitors an early lead, but two unanswered tallies from Khori Bennett and Christian Pinzón were enough to claim all three points.
Phillips opened the scoring for Sac Republic inside nine minutes. He was played in behind, and after his initial attempt was saved by Raiko Arozarena, Phillips cleaned up the rebound by tapping it into an open net.
The Lights equalized 20 minutes later when a methodical buildup led to a ball for Valentin Noël down the left flank. The Frenchman lofted a fantastic cross to the head of Bennett, who guided it past Danny Vitiello at the near post.
Arozarena was tested again from distance in the 45th minute when Nick Ross unleashed a volley from outside the box, but the Cuban goalkeeper got down to snatch up the effort.
The Lights were inches away from taking the lead in the 53rd minute when Shawn Smart got free on the right side of the box and dropped a pass for Bennett, but his shot ricocheted off the post and went wide.
Solomon Asante was close to getting his first goal of the campaign in the 58th minute when he had a half-chance on a bouncing ball from the right side of the box that just skipped past the far post.
Las Vegas took the lead in the 71st minute when a marauding run from Smart paid off after he picked out Pinzón at the top of the box. Pinzón one-timed the lay-off with a perfect strike to the far corner past a helpless Vitiello.
Sac Republic was reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute when Chibuike Ukaegbu took down Joe Gyau at the top of the box on a breakaway. The 17-year-old Ukaegbu was sent off for denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
Asante was close to adding an insurance tally in the 83rd minute, but Vitiello came up big to deny him.
Vitiello made another crucial save in the 89th minute when he denied Noël’s effort from close range.
Las Vegas now sits fifth in the Western Conference with 43 points from 29 matches. The Lights will head on the road next Saturday for a clash in Arizona against Phoenix Rising FC (7:30 p.m. PT).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Back on the score sheet
Following a scoreless draw against Monterey Bay last week, a streak that had snapped a span of 14 consecutive matches recording at least one goal, the Lights responded by finding the back of the net not once, but twice.
Bennett delivers
Las Vegas’s Golden Boot leader Bennett tallied his 12th goal of the season in tremendous fashion, rising for a powerful header that drew the Lights level.
Keep climbing
The Lights’ first playoff appearance in franchise history is drawing nearer. Las Vegas is also very much in play for a home postseason match, as the club is level on points with fourth-place Memphis 901 and just two points behind the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in second.
SCORING SUMMARY
SAC – Kieran Phillips 9’
LV – Khori Bennett 29’ (Assist: Valentin Noël)
LV – Christian Pinzón 71’ (Assist: Shawn Smart)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LV – Valentin Noël 59’ (caution)
LV – Ousman Jabang 73’ (caution)
SAC – Chibuike Ukaegbu 76’ (ejection)
SAC – Justin Portillo 81’ (caution)
SAC – Damià Viader 90’ (caution)
SAC – Sebastián Herrera 90’+1’ (caution)
LINEUPS AND STATS
Las Vegas Lights FC – Raiko Arozarena; Shawn Smart, Joe Hafferty, Maliek Howell, Gennaro Nigro; Solomon Asante (Vaughn Covil 86’), J.C. Ngando, Ousman Jabang, Christian Pinzón (Joe Gyau 73’); Valentin Noël, Khori Bennett (Elias Gärtig 86’)
Substitutes not used: George Marks, Austin Wormell, Grayson Doody, Edison Azcona, Ali Gue
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 9
Fouls: 18
Corner kicks: 7
Offside: 1
Saves: 2
Sacramento Republic FC – Danny Vitiello; Jack Gurr (Harvey Neville 68’), Jared Timmer, Chibuike Ukaegbu, Lee Desmond; Nick Ross (Cristian Parano 75’), Luis Felipe, Justin Portillo, Aldair Sanchez (Damià Viader 54’); Russell Cicerone (Trevor Amann 75’), Kieran Phillips (Sebastián Herrera 54’)
Substitutes not used: Jared Mazzola, Conor Donovan
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 14
Corner kicks: 6
Offside: 1
Saves: 5
