The Las Vegas Lights and Colorado Springs Switchbacks played to a 1-1 draw at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday night. Lights defender Shawn Smart and Switchbacks midfielder Jonas Fjeldberg traded first-half goals.
Lights goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena snuffed out the first dangerous opportunity of the match in the 24th minute when he got big to deny an effort from Ronaldo Damus, who was played in behind.
Las Vegas took the lead two minutes later when Smart weaved through two Switchbacks defenders before shooting a left-footed shot that snuck past goalkeeper Christian Herrera.
Colorado Springs equalized just four minutes later when Fjeldberg received an incisive pass from Zach Zandi and cut to his left before firing a low shot to the far corner that beat Arozarena.
Arozarena came up big again in the 35th minute when he kept out a ferocious half-volley from Damus.
Three minutes later, Arozarena made a huge save to parry away a great effort from Quenzi Huerman at the top of the box.
The Switchbacks had a flurry of opportunities in the 44th minute when Arozarena made two big saves before Gennaro Nigro came up with a massive block to keep the ball out of the net.
Fjeldberg almost found the back of the net again in the 54th minute when he beat Arozarena between his legs, but it ricocheted off the near post.
Damus thought he had given the Switchbacks the lead in the 67th minute when he headed in a cross from Matt Real, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Damus had another goal taken off the board in the 78th minute when he got in behind but was whistled offside yet again.
The Lights end the evening in sixth place in the Western Conference with 28 points from 21 matches, but they’re just one point behind the Oakland Roots in third.
Las Vegas will conclude its four-match road trip on Wednesday, July 31, at New Mexico United before returning to Cashman Field on Aug. 10 against Detroit City FC (TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS | Post-Game Quotes
Unbeaten run continues
Las Vegas has extended its unbeaten run to nine matches dating back to June 1 (4-0-5).
Smart scores second
Smart’s opening goal on Friday was the second of his career. The rookie fullback out of Clemson has been strong on both sides of the ball in his first professional season.
Shutout streak snapped
The Lights conceded for the first time in 394 minutes when they were breached on Friday night. It was the first time Las Vegas had allowed a goal in over three matches, having shut out its opponents since Memphis 901 FC scored in the 43rd minute on June 22.
SCORING SUMMARY
LV – Shawn Smart 26’
COS – Jonas Fjeldberg 30’ (Assist: Zach Zandi)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
COS – Jonas Fjeldberg 45’+1’ (caution)
COS – Matt Real 53’ (caution)
COS – Yosuke Hanya 58’ (caution)
LV – Grayson Doody 61’ (caution)
LV – Shawn Smart 73’ (caution)
LV – Ousman Jabang 86’ (caution)
LINEUPS AND STATS | USL Championship Match Center
Las Vegas Lights FC – Raiko Arozarena; Shawn Smart (Joe Gyau 83’), Joe Hafferty, Maliek Howell, Gennaro Nigro; Coleman Gannon (Grayson Doody 56’), J.C. Ngando, Dre Fortune (Ousman Jabang 56’), Christian Pinzón (Emrah Klimenta 83’); Valentin Noël, Khori Bennett
Substitutes not used: Nicholas Ammeter, Charlie Adams, Solomon Asante
Total shots: 6
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 11
Corner kicks: 3
Offside: 1
Saves: 7
Colorado Springs Switchbacks – Christian Herrera; Koa Santos, Matt Mahoney, Duke Lacroix, Matt Real; Quenzi Huerman (Jairo Henríquez 79’), Aidan Rocha, Devon Williams, Jonas Fjeldberg (Yosuke Hanya 57’), Zach Zandi (Tyreek Magee 84’); Ronaldo Damus
Substitutes not used: Joe Rice, Wahab Ackwei, Delentz Pierre, Juan Tejada
Total shots: 20
Shots on goal: 8
Fouls: 18
Corner kicks: 7
Offside: 7
Saves: 1