Goals from Stefan Stojanovic and Nighte Pickering helped the Lights secure a 2-0 win over Spokane Velocity to keep Jägermeister Cup knockout round qualification hopes alive and well.
Las Vegas Lights FC earned their third consecutive win in all competitions tonight at Cashman Field after subduing Spokane Velocity FC 2-0 thanks to goals from Stefan Stojanovic and Nighte Pickering.
It was a close match-up until the 35th minute, when the referee called a penalty for a foul on Maliek Howell. Stefan Stojanovic would take advantage of the situation, slotting the ball in the net with a precise shot to score his first goal as a Lights player.
Nighte Pickering doubled the lead for the Lights in the 51st minute, taking a powerful low shot from outside the box to beat Spokane goalkeeper Ryan Bilichuk.
Vegas controlled the game from that point onward, with debutant goalkeeper Carver Miller intervening when necessary to help the team keep yet another clean sheet.
This victory is interim head coach Giovanni Troise’s third at the helm of the Lights, confirming the team’s positive momentum as they head to a difficult rematch against Sacramento Republic FC.
What They’re Saying
INTERIM HEAD COACH GIOVANNI TROISE
On the team’s performance tonight…
Yeah, like you said, the performance for sure was a little bit better tonight. We started the game with the ball. I asked them to change that situation from the last two games against Monterrey and Indy, we didn’t find (the ball) a lot during the first half. Now we are happy about it. We have to go forward, work during the week and be ready for Sacramento.
On what Stefan Stojanovic and Nighte Pickering bring to the team…
They are important strikers in this league. We spoke a lot about this situation. I’m happy that both of them scored, In the last three games, all our number 9s have scored, which is something of great importance for them mentally. They can come back here inside the pitch during training and during the weekend and be ready to help the team on our next game.
On how he feels about the team’s three clean sheets in a row…
Yeah, I’m proud about the three clean sheets. I’m so happy for our goalkeeper tonight, Carver Miller. It was his first USL game, so I’m happy for him. I’m so proud of him. I’m proud about the performance, even if defensively we have to improve a little bit more because we conceded some important chances to them. But they didn’t score, so… three clean sheets.
GOALKEEPER CARVER MILLER
On what he’s seeing from the squad…
We’re seeing consistency. I think it’s starting from training, throughout the week. Monday to Friday. And it’s belief in each other. I think it’s something that we’ve really gained in the last three weeks. And I think it’s gonna continue and… Yeah, I think it starts from us and from the coaching staff, and it shows on Saturday.
On what he’s seeing from the team defensively…
Again… consistency and just the willingness to keep the clean sheet every game. I think it’s a mindset that we’ve had from the beginning of the year, but the last few weeks it’s really shown. And I believe it’s a whole team effort from the strikers up top to us in the back. And every game that’s our goal, and we’re glad that we can have three in a row.
A message for Vegas before our Fourth of July match at Cashman Field…
Show up. Show loud. We’re gonna have some revenge on these guys and they’re gonna see on the field for 90 minutes. So, show up!
Summary
Lights Starting XI:
Miller (GK), Smart (Gyau, 84′), Howell (Nigro, 46′), Gartig (c), Jones, Boudadi, Pearson (Peeters, 65′), Leal, Pinzon (Noël, 70′), Pickering, Stojanovic (Covil, 65′)
Spokane Velocity Starting XI:
Bilichuk (GK), Martin, Garcia, Fernandez (Denton, 61′), Brett (Pelaez, 61′), Gil (c) (Jome, 61′), Reedy (Akale, 74′), Miler, John-Brown, Waldeck, Lewis (Vinyals, 74′)
Goals:
LV – Stefan Stojanovic – 35’
LV – Nighte Pickering – 51’
Discipline:
SPK – Yellow, Head Coach Leigh Veidman – 45’
LV – Yellow, Shawn Smart – 83′
SPK – Yellow, Jack Denton – 85′
Next Up
The Lights will be back home on Friday, July 4 at 7:30 PM playing against Sacramento Republic where they will be hosting Hometown Heroes Night at Cashman Field. Tickets are available now at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets.