TACOMA, Wash. – Samuel Adeniran’s goal with four minutes to go lifted Tacoma Defiance to a 2-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Thursday night at Cheney Stadium as the side moved into second place in the USL Championship’s Pacific Division while remaining undefeated at home this season.

Neither side created much in the attacking third early with a shot by Tacoma’s Juan Alvarez from the top-left edge of the penalty area that was comfortably saved by Lights FC’s Alex Rando in the 22nd minute the first real look on goal. The visitors had a better chance seven minutes later as Roberto Molina had a shot saved by Tacoma’s Spencer Richey, and then on the half-hour mark Julian Vazquez seized on a loose ball after Las Vegas worked the ball into the penalty area from a throw-in on the right only to see Richey come off his line quickly to smother the chance.

The Defiance took the lead in the 36th minute, however, as after a corner from the right was half-cleared by the Lights FC defense, Tacoma recycled possession to the top-left edge of the penalty area where Josh Atencio lifted a ball into the center of the box for Adeniran, whose header toward the left post was powered home by Tom Brewitt.

The hosts had a chance at a second 12 minutes into the second half as a corner from the right by Carlos Anguiano was headed over by Jackson Ragen, but in the 62nd minute Las Vegas evened things up as after a free kick from the left was half-cleared by the Tacoma defense, Eric Iloski controlled 25 yards from goal and cut onto his left foot for a curling shot to the top-left corner of the net.

Tacoma tried to regain the lead immediately as a minute later Alvarez received a pass on the left and cut inside for a shot to the near post that was saved by Rando. Anguiano also forced a save from the Lights FC goalkeeper with 15 minutes to go with a curling shot from 20 yards, while three minutes later a cross from the left by Adeniran was controlled in the right side of the box by Ray Serrano, whose shot was blocked behind for a corner by Armando Avila.

But with four minutes to go, Tacoma regained the lead as Serrano and Adeniran reversed roles. Serrano gained possession on the right and cut inside to play a ball into Adeniran’s feet 16 yards from goal. The Texas native controlled, turned inside and powered a left-footed finish into the top-left corner of the net to put the Defiance back on top.

The Defiance had a chance add to their lead in the final minute when Villanueva headed on a ball upfield into the path of Danny Robles, who lifted his finish over the advancing goalkeeper only for Las Vegas defender CC Uche to clear to safety inside the six-yard area. The hosts wouldn’t need an insurance goal, however, as they wrapped up the victory to solidify their position in the Pacific Division’s playoff places.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Samuel Adeniran, Tacoma Defiance – Adeniran produced an outstanding finish to send his side to victory, adding to an earlier assist, and had five shots and three key passes overall for the hosts.

Scoring Summary
TAC – Tom Brewitt (Samuel Adeniran) 36’
LV – Eric Iloski 62’
TAC – Samuel Adeniran (Ray Serrano) 86’

Full Box Score