Forward Oalex Anderson and midfielder Carson Locker both scored, but the Lights dropped a critical loss on the road amidst the playoff chase.
Las Vegas Lights FC lost on the road 3-2 to Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday night.
Despite Oalex Anderson opening the scoring in the 13th minute and teenager Carson Locker scoring his first-ever USL Championship goal early in the second half, the Lights could not hold on to all three points. Club captain Christian Pinzon contributed clever assists on both goals, and center back Nate Jones provided the line-breaking pass on both, as well.
However, the Republic twice equalized before grabbing their game-winning goal.
First, Memo Rodriguez scored a stunner late in the first half that left Lights goalkeeper Triston Henry with no chance. Then, Jones was whistled for a foul in the box in the 57th minute to give Sacramento a penalty. Henry saved Rodriguez’s first attempt, but Tyler Wolff was first to the rebound to finish.
After an extremely chippy and contentious second half, Kyle Edwards scored from a corner kick in the 82nd minute to win the game.
The Lights now set sights on their next home match against San Antonio FC on Saturday, October 3. With the Lights sitting below the playoff line, Saturday’s match now becomes of the utmost importance to climb the table with four matches remaining.
What They’re Saying
HEAD COACH DEVIN RENSING
On his overall thoughts on the match…
It’s tough to find the words. It’s disappointing. The guys played their butts off. Really proud of the effort.
We just have to be a little more clinical at finishing off attacks, and we have to be a little bit better at defending in our box.
On Carson Locker’s first-ever USL Championship goal…
Obviously, I’m happy for Carson. But, we lost. I know the type of player Carson is, and he’s going to be disappointed that we lost.
It’s a proud moment for him, and he should be proud, but we’ve got to focus on Saturday.
On looking ahead to Saturday’s game against San Antonio FC…
Just finishing off attacks and defending our box. If we come out and we play like that on Saturday, the game should go in our favor.
We just have to be tighter defending our box and have the courage and the composure in the attacking box.
MIDFIELDER CARSON LOCKER
On his overall thoughts on the match…
I think we did a good job to go up early. But, we continuously shoot ourselves in the foot. We work so hard to score those goals to put us ahead, but its defensive mistakes that are costing us.
We just have to tighten up better on those for the last four games.
On what scoring his first USL Championship goal with his family in attendance meant to him…
It meant a lot. This season has been a lot of ups and downs. This being my first year of pro, it’s been difficult.
I’ve just tried to focus on the day to day, just doing the little things right. With that, these types of things are bound to happen.
It feels great that it came now at such an important time, but like I said, we have to be able to close games out. Going into these last four games of the season, it’s going to be important.
On what the team’s mentality needs to be ahead of Saturday’s home match…
Don’t worry about tonight, scratch tonight. It’s all focus on Saturday.
We can’t be looking at these losses. We have to go in there with the mindset that we have to win these next four games, and that’s it.
Summary
Las Vegas Lights FC Starting XI:
Henry (GK), Sessock, Ofeimu, Jones, Pope, Probo, Ybarra, Locker, Pinzon (c), Anderson, Rodriguez
Sacramento Republic FC Starting XI:
Vitiello (GK), Gurr, Timmer, Desmond, Spaulding, Midence, Casas, Crisostomo, Wolff, Rodriguez, Jennings
Goals:
LV – Oalex Anderson (assist: Pinzon) – 13′
SAC – Memo Rodriguez (assist: Crisostomo) – 36′
LV – Carson Locker (assist: Pinzon) – 50′
SAC – Tyler Wolff – 58′
SAC – Kyle Edwards (assist: Rodriguez) – 82′
Next Up
The Lights return home to Vegas to match up against another Western Conference opponent, San Antonio FC, on Saturday, October 3 for Kick Cancer Night. Get tickets now at lightsfc.com/tickets.
