COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Two weeks after Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC stunned them in stoppage time, Real Monachs SLC flipped the script at Weidner Field on Saturday night as Taylor Peay’s goal in second-half stoppage time earned the defending Championship title-holders a 2-1 victory for their first win of the 2020 campaign.

After being awarded a free kick on the left side about 40 yards from goal in the third minute of stoppage time, the Monarchs’ Jack Blake delivered an angled cross into the right side of the penalty area. James Moberg met the cross with a header back toward the top of the six-yard area, where Peay was on hand to volley home and give the Monarchs the late lead.

The Switchbacks had one late chance to level as a ball forward by Joan Cervos sent a ball forward that was flicked on by Adrian Diz Pe to Darren Yapi, but Monarchs goalkeeper Jimmy Slayton reacted in time to smother the shot and seal the victory for the visitors.

Looking to record its first home win of the season, Colorado Springs produced the first big chance in the eighth minute when Austin Dewing was played into the left side of the penalty area by Mamadi Camara. Dewing cut onto his left foot and fired a shot toward the near corner that Monarchs goalkeeper Jimmy Slayton was forced to tip over.

The Switchbacks also went close through Camara and Adrian Diz Pe before the half-hour mark, but the Monarchs took the lead 10 minutes before halftime when Colorado Springs’ Kris Reaves was called for a foul in the penalty area and Jack Blake converted from the spot for the visitors.

The Switchbacks got a penalty kick of their own 11 minutes into the second half, however, as the Monarchs’ Zac Farnsworth was called for a foul which allowed George Lebese to step up and score his first goal for the club.

Noah Powder almost restored Real’s lead in the 66th minute when his free kick from the right side sailed over everyone and caromed off the left post, rebounding to safety and allowing Colorado Springs to clear. Blake then had a go at his second of the night, only to see his shot from 25 yards slide wide of the left post.

As time appeared to have run out on both sides following limited chances in the final 20 minutes, however, the Monarchs grabbed Peay’s stoppage-time winner and gave Colorado Springs a taste of the medicine they had doled out the last time these teams met.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Noah Powder, Real Monarchs SLC – Powder hit the post with a dangerous free kick delivery, completed 26 of 31 passes overall, won 7 of 10 duels and recorded 10 recoveries in a solid all-around performance.