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Las Vegas Lights FC’s inaugural season has given Jennifer Hogan and her husband, Dennis, plenty of memories in 2018, but it was tough to top the one she created for herself on Wednesday, September 12, at Cashman Field.
After the couple renewed their four season tickets for the upcoming 2019 campaign, Jennifer – a former soccer player herself – took all four of their shots in the Crossbar Challenge at the first of two Meet The Team events. If she hit the crossbar from about 20 yards out, the reward was a free season ticket for next season.
“I practiced before the event started, since we got there early, I took two practice shots and the second one hit the crossbar – I was hoping that wouldn’t be the only time I could do it,” said Hogan, who has been to all but three home matches in 2018. “Then, the first real shot I took, I was the second person in line, with a lot of people behind me watching. I was so nervous. Then I zoned in after that, didn’t hear anything.”
On the fourth of her four allotted attempts, Hogan hit the target, making her one of 18 fans to date who have earned a free 2019 season ticket via the Crossbar Challenge.
“It was amazing,” she said. “Everything this year, all the way up to getting a call from the players to thank us for renewing, has been amazing.”
Season ticket members who have yet to renew will have one more chance at the Crossbar Challenge, coming at halftime of Lights FC’s 2018 home finale on Wednesday, October 10, at 8 p.m. vs. Phoenix Rising FC. Those who either visit LightsFC.com/Renew or call 702.728.4625 and renew for 2019 before next Wednesday’s match can not only take their shots, but also lock in their renewals at 2018 prices.
For fans who have taken the Crossbar Challenge to this point during the closing stretch of the 2018 season, it’s been another nice surprise along the way in a year that has been filled with them.
“I knew I could do it, but when I actually did and knew I had just won a free season ticket, I was debating whether to add a seat to my block or just use it to pay for one of my four – It was an awesome event,” said Mike Harden, who also hit the crossbar at a Meet The Team party in September. “I would definitely say my favorite part of this season is the community involvement, from the Zappos Tailgate, to the Plaza After Party and even back to the naming of the team, the jersey unveiling, involving the community has been awesome and definitely generated some instant fans.”
Most recently, during a 1-day promotion, season ticket members had the chance to have a Lights FC player of their choosing earn them a free 2019 season ticket by renewing during a specific window. Those shots at the crossbar took place on Monday morning at Cashman Field, as Eric Avila, Raul Mendiola, Daigo Kobayashi and Freddy Adu combined forces to earn free 2019 season tickets for five different current members.
Adu’s left foot helped earn a free season ticket for two different members, while Kobayashi did so for Luis Valenzuela, who was on-hand at Cashman Field to see it go down during his day off from work.
After Kobayashi hit the shot on his second of two attempts for Valenzuela, the two celebrated together with a big hug, adding another memorable moment in a season filled with them for a loyal season ticket member.
“Daigo – That’s the best guy on the team!” Valenzuela said afterwards. “Gotta love the Lights. Thank you, Lights!”
