USL Game Report

Friday, April 17, 2015

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - What started out as a picture perfect night for a match quickly turned into a winter wonderland as Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC earned a 5-2 victory against Real Monarchs SLC on Friday night at Sand Creek Stadium.

Luke Vercollone scored twice from the penalty spot for the Switchbacks, who earned a second consecutive victory against the Monarchs.

Both sides had spells of possession in the early going, and they exchanged goals in the opening 20 minutes. The Switchbacks took the lead in the 11th minute when Miguel Gonzalez found the back of the net off a pass through the defense from Vercollone that saw Sand Creek Stadium erupt into cheers.

The Monarchs responded six minutes later, however, when Eti Tavares was played in behind the Switchbacks' defense by Garrett Losee and finished well.

Colorado Springs regained the lead in in the 25th minute from  the penalty spot after a foul on Gonzalez. Vercollone stepped up and rifled his shot past an outstretched Lalo Fernandez into the left corner to give the Switchbacks a 2-1 lead. Saeed Robinson added a third for the Switchbacks with a good jink inside his man and finish to put Colorado Springs a two-goal lead at the break.

That was when the snow really started falling, and the second half began with Sand Creek Stadium enveloped in snow. Both sides tried to capitalize on midplaced passes, caused in part by the conditions, and recent Monarchs addition Max Raohofer forced a good save by Colorado Springs goalkeeper Devala Gorrick 10 minutes into the second half.

Real pulled a goal back with eight minutes to go as Raohofer found the net on his debut for the Monarchs with a fine headed finish off a cross by Ricardo Velazco. With the game set up for a big finish, however, the Switchbacks would secure all three points as Marty Maybin restored the two-goal lead with three minutes to go, and Vercollone again converted from the spot in the final minute to round out the scoring.