LOYAL HOLD ON FOR 3RD TRIUMPH OF THE SEASON

San Diego Loyal goalkeeper Jon Kempin lay stretched out on the ground in front of his goal, cradling a soccer ball with a look of relief as the referee blew his whistle signaling the end of the game.

Kempin’s team was similarly relieved following a tense 2-1 victory over Las Vegas Lights FC at Torero Stadium on Saturday night.

Loyal 2, Las Vegas Lights FC 1

San Diego improved to 31-1 on the season thanks to goals from Tumi Moshobane and Irvin Parra, a few nice saves from Kempin and some excellent defensive structure in the game’s final frantic minutes when Las Vegas (0-1-1) hunted for a tying goal.

The win helped the Loyal bounce back from last week’s 1-0 home loss to LA Galaxy II, the first setback in franchise history.

“It’s really hard giving up a goal going into halftime especially when we played pretty well for stretches in the first half,” coach Landon Donovan said. “The message was: ‘Forget about it. It’s over with. There’s nothing we can do about it.’ We find the goal to win the game, and I’m really proud of them.”

The Loyal enjoyed the majority of possession early on and in the 10th minute Jack Stoneman capped a nice run on the flank with a crossing pass into the box.

Moshobane was there to head Stoneman’s cross off the bar and after a scramble in front of Las Vegas keeper Edward Delgado that included an attempt by San Diego’s Ben Spencer, Moshobane poked a rebound shot past Delgado for his first goal of the season.

Las Vegas answered with a first-half stoppage-time goal from Rashawn Dally, whose rebound and score came after Kempin impressively stoned a penalty kick and a second attempt from penalty taker Jose Carrera.

Moshobane helped set up San Diego’s go-ahead goal in the 65th minute when he shook free on the left wing and lumped a ball into the box, where Parra headed it past Delgado for his first goal of the season.