LAS VEGAS – Junior Flemmings scored his 11th goal of the season as Phoenix Rising FC took a 2-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC to get back in the win column and solidify its place at the top of the Group B standings at Cashman Field.

Flemmings had the first good looks at goal in the first half, first pulling a shot just wide of the right post in the 16th minute and then a minute later firing a low shot that was saved by Las Vegas goalkeeper Thomas Olsen. Neither side created major scoring chances as the half went on, though, as Lights FC’s Rashawn Dally saw a sliding finish parried wide of the right post by Phoenix goalkeeper Zac Lubin soon after before Jaiden Waggoner shot wide of the near post from the top-left corner of the penalty area five minutes before halftime.

Rising FC took the lead early in the second half, however, as a cross by Solomon Asante from the right bounced in the penalty area and then went off the hand of Lights FC defender Javan Torre. Flemmings stepped up and fired a shot to the right corner that Olsen got enough of to turn onto the right post, only to see the ball still carom into the net.

The visitors almost doubled their lead soon after as a fine ball forward by Asante sent Flemmings on a counterattack. The Jamaican cut the ball across to Rufat Dadashov as they arrived in the penalty area, but Dadashov’s shot was deflected just wide of the left post by a trailing defender.

Flemmings was then denied his second of the night as he surged past a pair of defenders and got past Olsen, only for Torre to be in the right place covering on the goal line to make a decisive clearance. The Championship’s Golden Boot leader was then denied by Olsen in the 65th minute as his long-range effort to the right corner was saved.

Las Vegas almost pulled level with 21 minutes to go as a corner kick by Mobi Fehr from the right found Dally for a header back to the right corner that Lubin got across well to turn wide. The hosts then got another crucial goal line block by Waggoner, who slid in behind Olsen to keep out a low shot by Jose Aguinaga with five minutes to go.

Dadashov gave the visitors their insurance goal deep in second-half stoppage time, however, as Jordan Schweitzer quickly sent a goal kick back upfield toward the Azerbaijani forward, and Dadashov finished coolly into the left corner of the net to wrap up all three points.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Junior Flemmings, Phoenix Rising FC – Flemmings continued to be a force in attack, finishing with five shots while winning 11 of 18 duels and completing 4 of 6 dribbles in addition to his goal from the penalty spot.