SAN DIEGO – Tacoma Defiance rallied to claim its first road win of the season with second-half goals by Juan Alvarez and Carlos Anguiano that earned a 2-1 victory against San Diego Loyal SC on Saturday night at Torero Stadium.

Chances were limited for both sides early, with a flying header by Jack Blake that went well off target for the hosts in the 12th minute off a cross from the left by Miguel Ibarra the first real look on goal. San Diego then thought it had taken the lead three minutes later when Corey Hertzog headed in off another cross by Ibarra, but the offside flag was raised to rule out the finish.

Hertzog wouldn’t be denied in the 21st minute, however, as a cross from the left by Charlie Adams was headed back across goal by Oliver Larraz to the veteran striker, whose finish was ruled to have just crossed the line before the defender covering could clear to put SD Loyal ahead.

SD Loyal continued to produce the better looks on goal as the half progressed, and Tumi Moshobane shot high from eight yards on a turning shot that went over the top-left corner of the net. That continued into the second half as the offside flag again denied Hertzog in the 48th minute as he finished after controlling a long ball over the top, while Blake fired a long-range strike just wide of the left post eight minutes later.

Elijah Martin also went close for the hosts just before the hour-mark with a long-range effort that tailed away from the right corner of the net after a free kick had been blocked outside the top of the penalty area, but with 25 minutes to go the Defiance leveled as Ray Serrano was played into the right side off a free kick and delivered a low ball through the six-yard area that was tapped in at the back post by Alvarez.

The hosts looked to regain the lead quickly and Alejandro Guido had a shot that was first deflected and then turned wide of the left post by Defiance goalkeeper Christian Herrera with 20 minutes to go. The visitors then struck again a minute later, though, as Alvarez played Sam Adeniran in on a counterattack into the left channel, and while his low shot to the right corner was saved by SD Loyal’s Austin Guerrero, Anguiano arrived to hit the rebound first time on a shot that looped high off the turf and into the left side of the net.

SD Loyal pushed late to try and find an equalizer, but the closest the hosts came was deep in stoppage time as a corner kick from Blake on the left went to the back post but Josh Yaro was unable to send his header on target as the Defiance rallied to take victory and move level with San Diego on points in the Pacific Division standings.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Jackson Ragen, Tacoma Defiance – Ragen put in a stellar defensive display in just his second start since joining the Defiance, recording 10 recoveries, four clearances and winning three tackles while completing 44 of 50 passes overall.

Scoring Summary
SD – Corey Hertzog (Oliver Laraz) 21’
TAC – Juan Alvarez (Ray Serrano) 65’
TAC – Carlos Anguiano 71’

Full Box Score