USL FC Tulsa

Ochoa PK Gives Roughnecks 1-1 Draw in Austin

June 20, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


Tulsa Roughnecks FC was awarded its first-ever penalty kick Saturday night in Austin, and it came at the perfect time. Former Seattle Sounders forward Sammy Ochoa converted the spot kick in the 87h minute to salvage a 1-1 draw for the Roughnecks at Austin's Jimmy Reeves Stadium.

The draw improved Tulsa's season point total to 15 after 13 USL matches this season with a 4-6-3 record.

It was the second match in Austin this season for the Roughnecks, and weather again played a role. Last month, their match with the Aztex was delayed by a day after historic flooding in the area. Saturday's match started nearly one hour late due to thunderstorms in the Austin area.

Once play began, it was Tulsa who produced the early opportunities. In the fifth minute, Gibson Bardsley delivered a first-time effort that was stopped by Aztex goalkeeper Cody Laurendi.

Three minutes later, Roughnecks forward Andy Lorei found himself one-on-on with the keeper. Laurendi rushed out to make the save, but collided with Lorei who was injured on the play. After receiving treatment for several minutes, Lorei, who was making his first start since April 2, was helped off the field with an apparent knee injury, ending his night.

The match was still scoreless after the first 45 minutes, but Austin's Guaraci changed that. Eleven minutes after the break, the midfielder delivered a blast from 30 yards out that beat Lubin into the upper corner to give the Aztex the lead.

Following the goal, the Roughnecks increased the offensive pressure but could not beat Guaraci.

The break finally came when Ochoa was brought down in the box. The veteran calmly slotted the ensuing penalty kick into the net to even the score at 1-1.

With rain again falling, both teams looked for a winner over the final minutes of regulation and five minutes of added time, but neither side could find the net a second time.

The draw improve Tulsa's mark to 3-3-2 in eight road matches this season.

The Roughnecks will return to action on Thursday night with their first home match in the month of June. Tulsa will host 2014 USL champions Sacramento Republic at ONEOK Field with kickoff set for 7:30PM.

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