Super Swirl Summary: LV 2, Swope 3

Photo Credit: Swope Park Rangers

In Sunday afternoon USL soccer, Las Vegas Lights FC dropped a tough result on the road. They were defeated 3-2 by Swope Park Rangers at Children’s Mercy Park.

It was the hosts that got on the board first, with Seth Sinovic blasting a shot past Angel Alvarez, getting his second professional start, from outside the area. The opportunity came via a choreographed free kick play.

Las Vegas was able to equalize in the 21st minute. A long ball in the air from a Lights defender was beautifully headed forward from Sammy Ochoa near the middle of the pitch. The ball was perfectly placed ahead of Daigo Kobayashi, who beat the keeper far post. Swope Park went ahead again in the second half when Colton Storm played a ball in front of goal to a poorly marked Kharlton Belmar. The USL’s leading scorer tapped home one of his easiest chances of the season.

Just over ten minutes later, they doubled their advantage. Like the first goal, this one would come from a free kick as Wan Zuzain laced a shot into the upper-right corner.

After assisting earlier, Ochoa would pull a goal back himself for Vegas in the 87th minute. After trailing by two, Las Vegas had a great chance to steal a point on the road. Raul Mendiola was taken down in the area during the 4th minute of four minutes of added time and a penalty was awarded. Carlos Alvarez stepped up to take it, but instead, touched the ball to his right, allowing Ochoa to charge in and blast home a potential equalizer. Unfortunately, his shot thumped off the post and the Lights lost by one. They showed a lot of heart, but that decision and close chance will be on a lot of minds this week. The Lights will get back to work ahead of another away match on Saturday. They will face Tulsa Roughnecks FC.