Monterey Bay Erases Two-Goal Deficit, Wins Fourth Match in a Row with 3-2 Victory Over Las Vegas Lights FC
Union Extend Unbeaten Streak to Five, Host San Diego in Midweek Match on Wednesday
SEASIDE, California (Saturday, September 16, 2023) – Monterey Bay F.C. (11-11-7, 40 points) scored three unanswered to erase a two-goal deficit in a 3-2 victory over Las Vegas Lights FC (3-18-9, 18 points) on Hispanic Heritage Night at Cardinale Stadium, presented by PUMA. Ugo Okoli bagged a goal in the first half, while Alejandro Lara and Rafael Baca each scored their first goals as members of the Crisp and Kelp in the second half to earn the Union the full three points on the night. Walmer Martínez recorded his first two assists of the campaign while Christian Volesky tallied the game-winning assist for his team-high fourteenth goal contribution of the year.
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Both sides settled into the match quickly in this one, with possession even through the first 15 minutes of the opening half. Then in the 17th minute, Las Vegas earned a corner that was cashed in for the first score of the night off the head of Marcelo Lage. Less than a minute later, the visitors improbably doubled their lead with a tap-in goal from inside the six-yard box by Azriel Gonzales to bring the score to 2-0. In the 21st minute, Alex Dixon earned a free kick for Monterey Bay for drawing a foul just outside the box. James Murphy fired a perfect shot aimed just inside the top-left corner, but it was tipped over the bar by the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper. The Crisp-and-Kelp came close to scoring its first in the 27th minute, but the shot inside the box by Okoli was also saved at the top-left corner. Then two minutes later, Martínez whipped a ball into the box from the left side to a wide open Okoli at the far post for the header into the back of the net to cut Monterey Bay’s deficit in half. Back-to-back headers by Hugh Roberts II in the 43rd and 44th minutes both looked to be the equalizer, but they were both denied by Las Vegas to send the sides into the break at 2-1 in favor of the visitors.
Within seconds of the second half getting underway, the Union pushed forward with urgency to earn a couple of chances right away. Dixon ripped a shot from distance in the 46th minute that missed just wide of the left post a minute before Okoli missed with a curling effort of his own from the top of the box. Then in the 62nd minute, Monterey Bay found what felt like an inevitable equalizer. After an attempt on goal was cleared away, the Union reset possession. From the left side once again, Martínez whipped a ball into the box, this time towards Lara, who smashed it across the line to level the match at 2-2. But the Union were not done. Five minutes later, Sam Gleadle turned on the jets down the left sideline before finding Volesky above the box. Volesky then calmly laid it off for Baca, who was making a strong run through the center of the box, and the newest member of the Crisp and Kelp buried it into the back of the net to give Monterey Bay the 3-2 lead, fully erasing the earlier two-goal deficit.
Up Next: The Crisp-and-Kelp remain in Seaside this Wednesday, September 20 for a midweek fixture with San Diego Loyal SC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast locally via KION on Central Coast CW (35.1 over the air, channel 14 Xfinity), with live streaming available on ESPN+.
Notes:
– Rafael Baca recorded the game-winning goal in the 74th minute, his first goal as a member of the Union since joining the Club in July.
– Alejandro Lara scored his first goal in Crisp and Kelp against his former team, a header to equalize in the 62nd minute of the match.
– Walmer Martínez tallied his first two assists of the 2023 regular season on service to Ugo Okoli and Lara to help push the Union onto victory.
– Missing the match due to injury were Chase Boone (thigh), Simon Dawkins (knee), Mobi Fehr (hamstring), Jesse Maldonado (knee), and Grant Robinson (abdomen).
Match: Monterey Bay F.C. vs Las Vegas Lights FC
Date: September 16, 2023
Venue: Cardinale Stadium; Seaside, California
Weather: Mostly cloudy and 61 degrees
Attendance: 4,617
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Monterey Bay F.C. 1 2 3
Las Vegas Lights FC 2 0 2
LV: Marcelo Lage (Daniel Rios) 17’
LV: Azriel Gonzalez (Lucas Stauffer) 18’
MB: Ugo Okoli (Walmer Martínez) 29’
MB: Alex Lara (Walmer Martínez) 62’
MB: Rafa Baca (Christian Volesky) 74’
Lineups:
Monterey Bay F.C. (3-4-3): Carlos Herrera; Alex Lara, Kai Greene, Hugh Roberts II; Walmer Martínez (Christian Volesky, 68’), Rafa Baca, James Murphy, Morey Doner; Sam Gleadle, Ugo Okoli, Alex Dixon (Adrian Rebollar, 79’)
Subs not used: Antony Siaha, Max Glasser, Nevello Yoseke, Chuy Enríquez
Las Vegas Lights FC (3-5-2): Alan Diaz; Timothie Zali (Jordan Ayimbila, 45’), Zach Carroll (Josh Dolling, 83’), Marcelo Lage; Lucas Stauffer, Alejandro Mitrano, Azriel Gonzalez (Eric Oteng, 67’), Jacob Bushue (Justin Ingram, 83’), Andres Jimenez; Daniel Rios (Alexander Romero, 67’), Tyler Bagley
Subs not used: Andre Zuluaga-Silva, Pablo Soares
Stats Summary: MB / LV
Shots: 17 / 15
Shots on Goal: 8 / 8
Saves: 6 / 6
Corner Kicks: 9 /
Fouls: 10 / 14
Possession: 50.5% / 49.5%
Misconduct Summary:
MB: Alex Lara (caution) 8’
LV: Timothie Zali (caution) 31’
MB: Walmer Martinez (caution) 56’
LV: Eric Oteng (caution) 68’
MB: James Murphy (caution) 90’
Officials:
Referee: Corbyn May
Assistant Referee: Darren Bandy
Assistant Referee: Peter Hanson
Fourth Official: Michael Zapata
