Lights allow late goal to drop Reno contest

Stoppage score again sinks Las Vegas

If rivalries are built on memorable moments and exciting finishes, Reno 1868 FC and the Lights FC have something special brewing.

The Lights will just want a match to go their way at some point.

For the second straight game Las Vegas allowed a goal just before the final whistle, as

1868 FC forward Antoine Hoppenot scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time Tuesday to deliver a 2-1 win at Reno.

The win puts 1868 FC (116-8) in the lead for the Silver State Cup, the rivalry trophy given to whichever of the two teams earns the most points in their three meetings this season. The Nevada sides tied 1-1 at Cashman Field on March 24, with Reno goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski making a leaping save at the end of stoppage time to preserve the draw.

Marcinkowski was impressive again in the second edition of the rivalry series, making two saves to keep the game close. 1868 FC took an early lead in the fifth minute when Brian Brown scored on a counterattack, but then the Lights offense went to work.

They outshot Reno 19-12 — including 12-7 in the second half — and tied the game when Carlos Alvarez scored his sixth goal in the 47th minute. They managed to keep the pressure on despite only having three days between matches, tied for their shortest turnaround of the season.

The Lights (7-13-6) let up at the very end though, just as they did Saturday when a stoppage-time goal by Fresno FC turned a win into a tie.

Cash drop details

The Lights are dropping $5,000 in cash from a helicopter during their Sept. 8 home game against LA Galaxy II, and there are several ways fans can take part.

The team is limiting the event to 200 fans, but everyone who attends the game will have a chance to get on the field.

A select number of spots will be held for season ticket holders, and any group that buys 25 or more tickets to the game will get to send one person to the drop. Also, there will be opportunities on match day at Cashman Field to earn a spot, and the Lights plan to give away entries via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

All participants will be given a jersey to wear to the event and must sign a waiver before the cash is dropped. Most of the money will be in $1 bills, but the team will sprinkle in other amounts.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @ Bensgotz on Twitter.