Lights FC no match for West-leading Orange County
Match tied at half, but late yellow cards hurt Las Vegas cause
Despite the efforts of the Lights FC, the strength of Orange County SC was dominant.
Orange County defeated the Lights 5-3 on Wednesday.
Heading into the game, the Lights knew what they were up against, with Orange County sitting at the top of the Western Conference.
Orange County did not take much time off the clock for getting on the scoreboard. Lights goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino made a save, but it was not enough as Aodhan Quinn put the first score on the board off the rebound at 7:14.
Omar Salgado of the Lights came close to tying the game in the 18th minute but was unsuccessful.
Midfielder Raul Mendiola had a chance to even the score at 29:30 but failed as the ball missed the net.
Forward Thomas Enevoldsen put another point to the scoreboard for Orange County, but the Lights hung around as forward Juan Carlos Garcia recorded a goal in the 35th minute, making the score 2-1.
The energy at the field was revived when Lights defender Miguel Garduno tied the game at 2-2 just before halftime.
After halftime, the Lights picked up where they left off and came out swinging. Forward Sammy Ochoa followed through on an assist from Mendiola, putting the team up 3-2.
Though the Lights continued to score, Orange County always had an answer. At the 54th minute, they evened the score at 3-3.
Enevoldsen got a second goal late in the game to finish the scoring.
The three yellow cards issued to Ochoa, Garduno and defender Christian Torres hurt the Lights as the game was nearing the end.
The team will play against OKC Energy at home on Saturday.