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Gameday Report: Lundt says no as Rising FC holds off New Mexico

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 04/17/22, 12:53AM EDT

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Goalkeeper’s stoppage-time penalty save earns five-save shutout, 1-0 victory for hosts at Wild Horse Pass

PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising FC goalkeeper Ben Lundt recorded a five-save shutout, including denying a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time, to preserve a 1-0 victory for the hosts against New Mexico United on Saturday night at Wild Horse Pass.

New Mexico opened the game brightly and almost took the lead in the seventh minute when Neco Brett received a pass from Tabort Etaka Preston and feinted past a defender onto his right foot, only for Phoenix’s Ben Lundt to make a good save to deny the chance. Rising FC’s German goalkeeper came up big again in the 14th minute to keep out a powerful header by Sergio Rivas, and then almost immediately the hosts took the lead on a counterattack as Greg Hurst got in behind the United defense onto a pass by Marcus Epps and rounded the goalkeeper to his left before finishing into the open net.

Brett was denied again for the visitors three minutes later when his lifted finish past Lundt from the right side of the penalty area was kept out by Kevon Lambert, who controlled and cleared inside the six-yard area. After Lundt’s heroics for the hosts, meanwhile, New Mexico got a key save late in the first half by Cody Mizell, who denied Epps from close range as he turned a shot wide of the right post to keep it a one-goal game at the break.  

Chances continued to come for both sides in the second half with Phoenix’s Ryan Flood forcing a one-handed save by Mizell five minutes after the break on a drive from close to 30 yards out. New Mexico’s Justin Portillo then went close for the visitors in the 65th minute when Preston’s accurate cross back to the top of the penalty area was controlled by the midfielder and then shot off the left post before Brett tested Lundt again 12 minutes later with a low shot from the left side of the penalty area that forced a kick-save by the goalkeeper before the rebound was cleared.

Hurst almost grabbed an insurance goal for Phoenix with 10 minutes to go but couldn’t quite direct his header on target. Lundt saved his best stop for last, however, as after Preston was brought down in the penalty area while trying to break toward an angled ball into the box, the visitors were awarded a penalty kick. Chris Wehan stepped up for United but Lundt made a diving save on the shot to the left corner to preserve his shutout, and all three points for the hosts.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Ben Lundt, Phoenix Rising FC – Lundt made crucial saves early and especially late to earn a five-save shutout and send Phoenix to a third consecutive league victory while ending United’s undefeated start to the season.

Scoring Summary
PHX
– Greg Hurst (Marcus Epps) 14’

Full Box Score

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