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GAMEDAY REPORT: Bijev Converts from Spot, Lifts Republic FC past Reno

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/13/20, 12:36AM EDT

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Sacramento claims second one-goal victory against rivals in visit to Greater Nevada Field

RENO, Nev. – For a second consecutive meeting, a penalty kick earned Sacramento Republic FC a 1-0 victory against Reno 1868 FC on Wednesday night at Greater Nevada Field as Villyan Bijev gave the visitors victory in the Donner Pass Derby.

Hoping to reverse the result from the first meeting of the season last month, Reno went close in the third minute when Tucker Bone flashed a shot just over the crossbar after a corner kick from the left had been half-cleared to the top of the penalty area. Sacramento defender Tomas Hilliard-Arce also made an important early block to deny a turning shot by Corey Hertzog for the hosts.

The visitors then went close to opening the scoring when Bijev fired a shot from 30 yards toward the right corner of the net only for Reno goalkeeper Ben Beaury to make a good diving save. Bijev went close again off the ensuing corner as his low shot from the left side of the penalty area was parried by Beaury before Drew Skundrich’s chance at a rebound was blocked over by Reno captain Brent Richards.

Momentum swung back the way of 1868 FC midway through the half, and in the 24th minute a low cross by Bone found Hertzog for a close-range finish that was well saved by Diaz as he closed down quickly before reacting in time for Christiano Francois’ rebound attempt. Hertzog then went even closer to breaking the deadlock in the 34th minute as his curling shot from the right side of the penalty area hit the left side of the crossbar and caromed out.

Sacramento took the lead in first-half stoppage time, however, as Cameron Iwasa was brought down in the penalty area by Reno’s Thomas Janjigian. Bijev stepped up to the spot and shot low into the right corner past the dive of Beaury, who had gone the correct way.

1868 FC almost pulled level just past the hour-mark as Ayrton Statie fired a free kick just inside the right edge of the penalty area from 20 yards on target that was pushed over the crossbar by Diaz. The second half produced fewer chances, however, and Hertzog fired wide with 15 minutes to go on a shot from the right side of the penalty area.

Sacramento had late chance to ice the game through Rodrigo Lopez, who had his shot to the right corner turned wide by Beaury, but Diaz came up with one final clutch save in stoppage time as he tipped over a header by Reno's Jared Timmer. Then when Republic FC’s goalkeeper claimed a last-gasp free kick as Statie looked to find a back-post header on a delivery from he right, he earned his shutout and all three points for the visitors.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Rafael Diaz, Sacramento Republic FC – Diaz recorded a five-save shutout, including some key saves in the second half to help preserve Republic FC’s lead and all three points for the visitors.

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