The Las Vegas Lights defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-0 on Saturday night at Cashman Field behind a brace from Khori Bennett.
Valentin Noël had the first real chance for the Lights in the 32nd minute when his left-footed shot from the center of the box missed wide.
Bennett found the opener in the 40th minute when a great through ball from Gennaro Nigro found Noël, who picked out Bennett in the middle of the box. Bennett deftly spun and hit a left-footed shot that deflected off a Riverhounds defender and beat goalkeeper Jacob Randolph. The goal was the first shot on target for either team.
The first opportunity for Pittsburgh came in the first minute of the second half when Enoch Mushagalusa played a cross from the left side of the end line and it ricocheted off the crossbar.
The Riverhounds found a lifeline in the 52nd minute when Robbie Mertz drew a penalty on Nigro. Lights goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena, who retook the starting spot ahead of Nicholas Ammeter, made a massive initial save on the ensuing penalty from Danny Griffin and then denied the rebound from Mushagalusa.
Smart almost doubled the advantage in the 84th minute when he made a big run before firing a shot that just missed wide right of the net.
Bennett earned his brace in the 87th minute after a brilliant run from Ngando drew out Riverhounds defenders before he slipped a pass back across the middle of the box that Bennett hammered home with a first-time finish.
The Lights are the fifth consecutive team to hold the Riverhounds scoreless. Las Vegas also earned its fifth clean sheet of the season.
Las Vegas returns to action on Wednesday in a road match at Sacramento Republic (8 p.m. PT).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Bennett can’t stop scoring
Make that six goals in five games for Bennett, including goals in three straight matches. The Jamaican forward is coming off a USL Championship Team of the Matchday honor and looks well on his way to another.
Points milestone
Last year’s edition of the Lights, a completely different group, managed just 19 total points on the season. Las Vegas picked up its 21st point on Saturday through just 18 matches and in doing so jumped above the playoff line in the Western Conference.
Away trip awaits
Following a three-match homestand, the Lights will embark on a four-match away trip over the next five weeks. Las Vegas will next return to Cashman Field on Aug. 10 against Detroit City FC. Tickets to the next home match are available at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets.
SCORING SUMMARY
LV – Khori Bennett 40’ (Assist: Valentin Noël)
LV – Khori Bennett 87’ (Assist: J.C. Ngando)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
PIT – Illal Osumanu 14’ (caution)
LV – Khori Bennett 26’ (caution)
LV – Zander Romero 90’+1’ (caution)
LINEUPS AND STATS
Las Vegas Lights FC – Raiko Arozarena; Shawn Smart, Joe Hafferty, Maliek Howell, Gennaro Nigro; Coleman Gannon (All Gue 90’), Dre Fortune (Zander Romero 55’), J.C. Ngando, Christian Pinzón (Emrah Klimenta 73’); Valentin Noël (Fabien Garcia 73’), Khori Bennett (Solomon Asante 90’)
Substitutes not used: Nicholas Ammeter, Austin Wormell, Edison Azcona, Sawyer Crisostomo
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 17
Corner kicks: 2
Offside: 2
Saves: 2
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Jacob Randolph; Langston Blackstock, Sean Suber, Luke Biasi (Dani Rovira 88’), Illal Osumanu, Junior Etou; Robbie Mertz, Danny Griffin, Kenardo Forbes (Bradley Sample 64’); Enoch Mushagalusa (Emmanuel Johnson 64’), Edward Kizza (Babacar Diene 64’)
Substitutes not used: Eric Dick, Pierre Cayet, Jackson Wälti
Total shots: 6
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 13
Corner kicks: 3
Offside: 1
