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USL FC Tulsa

Roughnecks Cap Eventful Trip with 3rd Straight Win

May 24, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


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[Fwd: Roughnecks Cap Eventful Trip with 3rd Straight Win]
(FC Tulsa, Credit: Austin Aztex)

The Tulsa Roughnecks capped off their most memorable road trip of their young existence with a 1-0 shutout victory Sunday morning in Texas against the Austin Aztex, and there was nothing easy about it.

Chad Bond battles during Tulsa's 1-0 victory in Austin Sunday morning. It was the Roughnecks third straight shutout win.

The match was originally scheduled to be played Saturday night, but electrical storms forced it to be postponed until Sunday morning. Without a hotel, the Roughnecks were forced to stay several miles outside of the Texas capital city. Trying to return to the stadium on Sunday, the team encountered roads that were closed due to historic flooding in the area. The Roughnecks arrived at House Park just slightly more than one hour ahead of the scheduled 11:00AM kickoff.

The mishaps seemed to have little to no effect on the players as they produced their third straight win, all via shutouts. The victory over the Aztex was their second straight win in USL regular season play and improved their league record to 3-4-2 with 11 points in the Western Conference standings.

The Roughnecks will have little time to enjoy the result. They will return home for a special U.S. Open Cup edition of the Oklahoma Derby. Tulsa will host Oklahoma City Energy FC in the third round of the tournament Wednesday night at ONEOK Field. The winner will advance to face MLS side FC Dallas in the fourth round.

Sunday's victory followed a very similar path to last week's win in Orange County. The one difference was the goal provider.

The match's lone goal came in the 25th minute. Gibson Bardsley, who had caused early problems for the Aztex backline, streaked down the right side and sent a cross into the box. Lucas Cordeiro had a chance to play the cross, but he stepped over, leaving it perfectly for Steven Miller. The Tulsa midfielder took advantage by placing his right-footed shot into the lower, right side of the goal to give the Roughnecks the 1-0 lead.

It was Miller's second goal of the season for Tulsa.

After the interval, the Aztex picked up the pressure in pursuit of the tying goal. Tulsa goalkeeper Zac Lubin and his backline held strong.

The Roughnecks also had chances to double their lead. Substitute Andy Lorei was just wide with a flick shot in the 79th minute from an excellent cross from another sub, Brady Ballew.

One of Austin's best chances came in the 88th minute, and it was Broken Arrow native Bryce Taylor who nearly provided the equalizer. His header was defended and went wide of Lubin's goal.

In five minutes of added time, Lubin had only to handle a pair of shots from distance to complete his third straight clean sheet.

The win opens a big win for the Roughnecks. After hosting the Energy on Wednesday, they will return to USL league play Saturday night at ONEOK Field by hosting Portland Timbers 2. The match will mark the first one this season that the club will wear their throwback uniforms that were modeled after the first kits for the original Roughnecks. A huge Fireworks Show will follow the match in downtown Tulsa.

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Images from this story

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[Fwd: Roughnecks Cap Eventful Trip with 3rd Straight Win]
(Austin Aztex)		   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 24, 2015


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