SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Russell Cicerone scored a pair of goals as Sacramento Republic FC took a 4-2 victory against Monterey Bay F.C. in a preseason clash at Heart Health Park on Saturday afternoon to conclude the preseason for both clubs ahead of the start of the 2023 USL Championship season.

Sebastian Herrera also converted a second-half penalty for the hosts while Zeiko Lewis netted the fourth just before the final whistle sounded. Chase Boone and Walmer Martinez both found the net for the visitors in the first half.

In his first contest before home fans, Cicerone put Sacramento on top just after the 15-minute mark when he headed home a deflected cross from the right. Monterey Bay hit back almost immediately as Boone powered home a shot from the top-left edge of the penalty area into the top-right corner, but Cicerone added a second in the 20th minute to put the Quails back on top.

Monterey Bay pulled even again shortly before halftime when Martinez put home a turning shot from 10 yards after Boone’s low cross from the left had been deflected. Sacramento regained the advantage two minutes into the second half, however, as Herrera converted from the spot after being brought down in the penalty area.

Cicerone almost completed his hat trick twice in the second half, twice having efforts blocked by the Monterey Bay defense. Luther Archimede also hit the crossbar for the hosts with a header after his initial volleyed chance had been well saved, but Lewis closed out the scoring with a minute to go to wrap up the victory.