PHOENIX – Rufat Dadashov scored twice as Phoenix Rising FC set single-game USL Championship records for shots (41) and shots on target (20) in a 5-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday night at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex at Wild Horse Pass.

Looking to rebound from its first loss of the campaign, Phoenix got out to an ideal start as a cross by Noah Billingsley from the right got through to Dadashov, who controlled and fired a turning shot into the left corner of the net just two minutes in. Las Vegas almost leveled in the 11th minute as an errant pass by Kevon Lambert allowed Cal Jennings to break toward goal, only for his finish to be denied by Rising FC goalkeeper Andre Rawls.

Dadashov went close to a second in the 13th minute as he drove a shot off the right post, but nine minutes later Jennings pulled Lights FC level as he stole possession from Phoenix’s Jon Bakero in the Rising FC half and this time made no mistake, lifting his finish over Rawls to make it 1-1.

The hosts went back ahead for good six minutes before halftime, however, as a corner kick by Solomon Asante from the left found Joe Farrell at the near post for a flicked header to the right corner of the net. Phoenix then went close early in the second half as Las Vegas goalkeeper Alex Rando first saved a shot by Solomon Asante from 20 yards before denying Dadashov on the follow-up, but in the 51st minute Santi Moar added a third as he volleyed home from the top of the six-yard area after a corner kick had been headed high into the air above the Las Vegas penalty area.

Dadashov hit the woodwork again two minutes later with a header off the left post, but the Azerbaijani forward wouldn’t be denied in the 55th minute as he roofed a finish from nine yards out into the top-right corner of the net. Eight minutes later Asante added a fifth from the penalty spot after Ryan Flood was brought down in the penalty area.

The hosts continued to push for more goals in the final half-hour, but some profligate finishing and a stellar display by Rando, who set a Championship record with 15 saves in his professional debut, kept Phoenix to five goals on the night as Rising FC claimed its third victory of the season.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Rufat Dadashov, Phoenix Rising FC – Dadashov had a pair of goals, hit the post twice more and registered eight shots overall while completing 11 of 13 passes and recording two key passes.

Scoring Summary
PHX – Rufat Dadashov 2’
LV – Cal Jennings 22’
PHX – Joe Farrell (Solomon Asante) 39’
PHX – Santi Moar 51’
PHX – Rufat Dadashov 55’
PHX – Solomon Asante (Penalty Kick) 63’

Full Box Score