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GAMEDAY REPORT: Lights FC Pulls Off Stunning Comeback vs. Phoenix

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/23/20, 1:04AM EDT

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Two goals in second-half stoppage time earn hosts 3-3 draw against Rising FC

LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Lights FC produced a miraculous comeback with two goals in second-half stoppage time that resulted in a 3-3 draw with Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night at Cashman Field. Ramon Martin Del Campo scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time to secure a point for the hosts and kept Rising FC from what had seemed a sure victory only minutes earlier.

Phoenix appeared to have secured another three points in the final minute of regulation when Solomon Asante converted from the penalty spot after Las Vegas defender Johnny Fenwick was penalized for a foul in the area following a corner kick. That only proved the start of the drama, however, as in the fifth minute of stoppage time a cross from the left by Jaiden Waggoner was headed back across goal by Yamikani Chester and deflected off Phoenix defender AJ Cochran and into the back of the net.

Lights FC the pulled off the miracle after being awarded a free kick for an offside call. A long ball forward into the penalty area from its own half by Junior Burgos deflected twice as it arrived and fell to Blake Frischknecht, who pulled off a back-heel from the right side of the penalty area as he ran away from goal to try and retrieve possession. Del Campo was on hand to finish from close range, giving Lights FC a thrilling point.

Things had appeared they would go to plan for Rising FC as it took the lead in just the fifth minute when a cross from the right by Solomon Asante found Rufat Dadashov, who controlled inside the area and put home a precise finish to the left corner of the net. Asante almost added second in first-half stoppage time as he battled past defender to fire a low shot that was saved by Lights FC goalkeeper Edward Delgado, with Dadashov ruled offside as he tapped home the rebound.

Championship leading scorer Junior Flemmings then almost got in on the act on the hour-mark as he turned his defender beautifully on the left side and drove into the middle of the penalty area, only for Delgado to pull off a great save to deny him. The Jamaican international’s 10th goal of the season arrived in the 68th minute, however, as he broke forward on a flicked header by Dadashov near the halfway line and scooped his finish past the advancing Delgado to give Phoenix a two-goal lead.

Dadashov almost made it three for the visitors with 20 minutes to go as his shot was tipped over the crossbar by Delgado, but when Las Vegas cut into its deficit with 10 minutes to go as Chester headed in a deflected shot by Rashawn Dally on Lights FC’s first official shot on target. When Asante restored Phoenix’s two-goal advantage from the penalty spot, though, all was looking lost for the hosts until their late perseverance paid off in spectacular fashion to give the game a dramatic twist in the tail.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Blake Frischknecht, Las Vegas Lights FC – Frischknecht came off the bench to record a pair of assists, including on Lights FC’s miraculous equalizer, to earn his side a point in the most dramatic fashion possible.

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