Phoenix Rising took care of business Saturday night, earning three points with a 3-2 victory over Las Vegas Lights FC at 38th & Washington. Rising came out firing, building a three-goal lead before halftime behind goals from Ihsan Sacko and Gunnar Studenhofft. After Studenhofft drew a penalty in the 18-yard box, Sacko converted from the spot to give the home side a commanding advantage at the break. Las Vegas responded with two second-half goals keeping the entertainment high, but Rising held on to secure the win on home turf.
“I think we took the front foot and that’s good,” Sacko said. “We were more attacking than staying in the block and defending, so I think it’s a good three points for us.”
Phoenix Rising hits the road next Saturday (Oct. 17) for its final away trip of the regular season, taking on Orange County SC for the third meeting between the sides this season. Rising has earned a result in both previous matchups and will look to carry that momentum into California as it continues its push toward the postseason.
ONE…TWO…THREE
Phoenix Rising’s attack was led by two of its most consistent goal scorers in Ihsan Sacko and Gunnar Studenhofft, who combined for all three goals on the night. Sacko recorded a brace to bring his season total to 15, while Studenhofft added his fifth goal of the campaign. The connection between the two was especially impactful just before halftime, when Studenhofft drew the penalty that Sacko converted to extend Rising’s lead to 3-0.
But it wasn’t just them – Jean Eric Moursou assisted Sacko’s first goal, marking his third assist of the season, while Danny Flores set up Studenhofft’s finish for his second assist. Flores has now contributed to goals in back-to-back Las Vegas matches, continuing to make an impact in Rising’s attack.
“[Sacko] showed what he can do and I’m very proud of him,” Kah said. “He shows up at the right moment when the team needs it most…that is the caliber player that he is.”
PEAKING BEFORE PLAYOFFS
With the win, Phoenix Rising moved up to 10th in the Western Conference standings, level on 36 points with Las Vegas Lights. Rising now heads into its final away match of the regular season one game out of playoff position, with a chance to close the gap against Orange County on Saturday, Oct. 17. Orange County enters the matchup after losing four of its last five matches and sits tied with San Antonio FC for eighth place with 39 points, setting up an important match for all.
“You can control your attitude, your mentality, your application,” Kah said. “At the end of the day, football is crazy and there’s a lot of crazy things that can happen. Until the fat lady sings, we’re still alive.”
GOAL-SCORING PLAYS
PHX- IHSAN SACKO, 24: Long ball up the right side of the field from Jean-Eric Mourou to the feet of Ihsan Sacko just past the center circle who jukes out the outside back and puts the ball in the back of the net on the right side near post.
PHX- GUNNAR STUDENHOFFT, 30: Coming off a corner kick from Danny Flores to the head of Gunnar Studenhofft on the back side of the 6-yard-box into the bottom left corner of the goal.
PHX- IHSAN SACKO, 54: Off of a foul against Gunnar Studenhofft – Sacko scored in the right bottom corner.
LAS- PATRICK LEAL, 77: A left footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner, assisted by Oalex Anderson.
LAS- OLAEX ANDERSON, 85: A left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner, assisted by Patrick Leal.
NOTES
- Rising holds an 11-5-6 all-time record against the Lights.
- The last meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in August, with Danny Flores finding the back of the net to help Rising earn a point after a comeback effort.
- Ihsan Sacko scored his 15th goal of the season, his first assisted by Moursou, (his 3rd assist), and his second on a PK.
- Gunnar Studenhofft scored his 5th goal of the season, assisted by Flores, his 2nd.
- Rising have been awarded the most penalties this season (7).
- Have scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches.
Phoenix Rising (8-10-9, 33 pts) vs. Las Vegas Lights FC (10-11-6, 36 pts)
Goals by Half: 1st – 3; 2nd – 1; FT – 3
Phoenix Rising: 1st – 3; 2nd – 0; FT – 3
Las Vegas Lights: 1st – 0; 2nd – 2; FT – 2
Attendance: 6,238
Scoring Summary:
PHX: SACKO (MOURSOU), 24
PHX: STUDENHOFFT (FLORES), 30
PHX: SACKO (PK), 54
LAS: LEAL (ANDERSON), 77
LAS: ANDERSON (LEAL), 85
Misconduct Summary:
LAS: HENRY, 53
PHX: ESSENGUE, 59
PHX: BOYE, 94
PHX: BADJI, 97
Lineups:
PHX: GK Odunze, D Flores (Biasi, 38), D Essengue, D Boye, D Moursou, M Gomez, M Scearce, M Schmitt (Smith, 83), M Arase (Ambursley, 45), F Studenhofft (Badji, 64), F Sacko (Pelayo, 83)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Rakovsky, D Cross, M Balanzar, F Torres
TOTAL SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 22; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 1
LAS: GK Henry, D Antonglou, D Guillen, D Ofeimu (Jones, 45), D Sessock, M Locker (Arteaga, 45), M Probo, M Scott (Leal, 68), F Anderson, F Rodriguez (Pope, 78), F Pinzon
Substitutes Not Used: Lanphier V, Stretch, Ybarra
TOTAL SHOTS: 5; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 16; OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 2
Referee: Erick Lezama Pavon
Assistant Referees: Fernando Fierro, Joshua Mills
Fourth Official: Jorge Medina
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
