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Matchday Report: Hertzog’s Late Finish Sends SD Loyal Past Lights FC

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 05/30/21, 12:36AM EDT

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Veteran forward scores with three minutes to go in 2-1 victory at Torero Stadium for first win of season

SAN DIEGO – Corey Hertzog’s first goal of the new season proved to be an 87th-minute winner for San Diego Loyal SC that lifted to hosts to a 2-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC at Torero Stadium in SD Loyal’s home opener on Saturday night.

Both sides entered the contest looking for their first points of the season, and the hosts created the first big chance of the game in the 16th minute as Jack Metcalf delivered a cross from the right that found Jack Blake for a header toward the top-left corner that was saved by Las Vegas’ Alex Rando. A minute later, however, Las Vegas took the lead as Cal Jennings got around his defender after receiving a throw-in on the right flank and delivered a cut-back cross for Alvaro Quezada to finish from close range for the visitors.

New San Diego arrival Miguel Ibarra was active throughout the first half and almost found an equalizer 10 minutes before halftime as Rando was unable to corral a corner kick from the right which allowed the ball to drop in the penalty area. Ibarra took a crack at finishing but his effort couldn’t find its way through the forest of players in front of him.

Blake went close again for the hosts shortly before halftime as he won possession in midfield and then after passing centrally drove forward to receive a return pass from Alejandro Guido. The English midfielder turned his defender in the penalty area, but his finish found the right side-netting. Ibarra then went close five minutes into the second half as he was found by a cross from Metcalf on the right at the back post only to head wide.

Las Vegas almost doubled its lead five minutes later as Roberto Molina found space for a shot just inside the penalty area that SD Loyal goalkeeper Trey Muse pushed over the crossbar. Muse made another good stop off the ensuing corner as Frank Daroma fired a long-range effort toward the right corner, and that proved key as within a minute the hosts had equalized. After a good switch of play by Miguel Berry found Blake on the right, his pass to the top of the penalty area allowed Alejandro Guido time and space to fire a low shot into the left corner of the net.

Berry went close to a goal himself just before the hour-mark as he received a pass from the left inside the penalty area and fired a turning shot with his left foot over the crossbar. Hertzog also threatened with 11 minutes to go with a header at the back post from a cross by Tumi Moshobane that was saved by Rando.

San Diego continued to apply pressure as the game entered the final stages and Blake had a long-range finish saved by Rando with four minutes to go. A minute later, however, Moshobane got past his man on the left and delivered a low cross that was first almost turned into his own goal by a Las Vegas defender before a pair of close range shots by the hosts before Hertzog tapped home from inside the six-yard area. That would prove enough for the hosts to grab their first victory of the season with Vegas unable to find a late answer.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Alejandro Guido, San Diego Loyal SC – Guido scored the opening goal for the hosts to help spark the comeback and also won 9 of 11 duels and had one key pass in the victory.

Scoring Summary
LV
– Alvaro Quezada (Cal Jennings) 17’
SD – Alejandro Guido (Jack Blake) 56’
SD – Corey Hertzog 87’

Full Box Score

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