TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa Roughnecks FC netted a first-half goal and defeated Rio Grande Valley FC 1-0 on Saturday at ONEOK Field. Joey Calistri provided the scoring in the 31st minute and the defense posted its first clean sheet of the season, thanks to goalkeeper Bryan Byars. The Roughnecks (2-0-0, 6 points) withstood both RGV’s attacking pressure and the increasingly slick conditions as the rain steadily came down in the second half. RGV falls for the second time this year, dropping to 0-2-0 (0 points).

Scoring:
31’ – TUL – Joey Calistri (Ian Svantesson)

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. The bounce went Tulsa’s way in the opening half against RGV. In the 31st minute, Ian Svantesson was clearly looking to add to his two-goal performance the previous week during a 4-1 win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Instead, his shot from the left side turned into an assist as Joey Calistri managed to control the darting shot and then slot into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. It was Calistri’s first tally of the season as the Roughnecks enjoyed an advantage going into the halftime break. Svantesson was subbed out in the 60th minute as Brian Wright made his Roughnecks debut.

• 2. Oklahoma City native and 25-year-old goalkeeper Bryan Byars came up with eight saves for his second straight victory. Byars dealt well with the slick conditions the permeated the second half, and he made his presence felt early with a nice first-half free kick save. The Toros’ attack certainly lurked around for much of the night, and Tulsa did well to handle the pressure to come away with the victory.

• 3. RGV opens the season with back-to-back losses. Just how rare is this for the Toros? Only once last year did RGV suffer two straight defeats, also both 1-0 losses, on Sept. 10 and 14 against the Portland Timbers 2 and LA Galaxy II last year. The Toros were impressive on both sides of the ball last year, setting a USL consecutive shutouts record on the defensive end (eight games) while exuding an attacking brand of play that is certainly lurking in 2017. Things just haven’t come to fruition for RGV two games in.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Bryan Byars, Tulsa Roughnecks FC – Byars didn’t have to come up with the most acrobatic of saves, but he did everything necessary to maintain a clean sheet in tough playing conditions and against a heavy attacking side in RGV. 

Upcoming Games:
Tulsa Roughnecks FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC – April 8, 8 p.m. ET, ONEOK Field
Rio Grande Valley FC at OKC Energy FC – April 8, 8 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium