SAN DIEGO – Orange County SC maintained its undefeated start to the season and closed the gap on the top two teams in Group B as goals by Ugo Okoli and San Diego native Aodhan Quinn earned a 2-0 victory against San Diego Loyal SC on Wednesday night at Torero Stadium.

Returning to action for the first time since July 25, Orange County almost got out to a flying start through Seth Casiple. The San Diego native broke onto a ball into space and ran in on goal but sent his finish off the right post as it caromed away to safety. Chandler Hoffman also had an early chance for the visitors but pulled his finish wide of the left post after a nice piece of skill to set up the shot.

SD Loyal’s first big chance arrived in the 14th minute as a cross from the right by Jack Metcalf was met by Tumi Moshobane’s header 10 yards from goal that forced a good save by Orange County goalkeeper Frederick Due. The hosts also got a stellar strike on the volley by Carlos Alvarez eight minutes later that was pegged for the left corner, but again Due made a fine save to keep the game scoreless.

San Diego continued to build pressure as the first half went on, and OCSC captain Michael Orozco had to make a good block to squeeze out a chance for Moshobane seven minutes before halftime. The momentum for SD Loyal continued into the second half, too, and Collin Martin almost broke the deadlock in the 51st minute as he shot from 12 yards but saw Due stretch out a foot to turn the shot wide.

Orange County began to rally after the hour-mark, and Quinn had a long-range effort saved by SD Loyal goalkeeper Jake Fenlason. But in the 65th minute the visitors would take the lead. A ball upfield took a deflection near midfield off an SD Loyal head and inadvertently played in Okoli. The 2016 Championship Golden Boot winner made the most of the chance, driving forward before cutting onto his right foot at the top of the penalty area and firing home into the right corner.

The visitors almost doubled their lead in the 68th minute when Brian Iloski juked past a pair of defenders inside the penalty area but was thwarted by Fenlason before follow-up shots by Danny Finlayson and Casiple were both blocked away. SD Loyal’s Charlie Adams then forced another big save from Due with a free kick from 30 yards that curled toward the left corner of the net.

Orange County put the game away with five minutes to go, however, as Iloski held possession in the San Diego penalty area, sent a short pass to Edson Alvarado, and he laid a ball back for Quinn to power home a finish from 25 yards into the bottom-right corner of the net.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Frederick Due, Orange County SC – Due posted a seven-save shutout that kept the visitors in the game before the goals arrived to send Orange County home with all three points.