USL FC Tulsa

Roughnecks Top Golden Hurricane

Published on March 12, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


The Tulsa Roughnecks preseason preparations took them only a few miles down Interstate 244 Wednesday night. The Roughnecks traveled to the University of Tulsa to face the Golden Hurricane in a scrimmage at Hurricane Field.

The two teams engaged in an entertaining contest with the Roughnecks getting a goal in each half to record a 2-0 victory. In three outings this spring, the Roughnecks are now 2-1-0.

The first 10 minutes of the contest saw each team with equal amounts of possession, but no dangerous threats on goal. Roughnecks forward Kidd Nwabueze put the first real shot on goal in minute 12, but his slow roller was easily handled by Hurricane keeper Jake McGuire.

A few minutes later, a pair of trialists for the Roughneckcs combined to open the scoring. After foul was whistled on TU, Adam Black delivered a cross into the box that midfielder Jimmy Nealis headed into the back of the net to give the Roughnecks a 1-0.

The first goal opened the game up with chances on each end of the field. For the Roughnecks, a header from Kidd was just wide.

In minute 25, Kidd and Andy Lorei both had chances in front of goal within seconds of each other, but McGuire was up to the tasks, saving both attempts to keep the margin at one goal.

At the other end, Tulsa goalkeeper Zac Lubin made a diving save to keep the Hurricane off the score sheet.

The two teams entered halftime with the score still at 1-0. Roughnecks Head Coach David Irving made a number of changes to his lineup for the second 45 minutes, and the game took a while minutes to settle back in after the restart.

Lubin was twice tested by the Hurricane, but the Roughnecks keeper was again up to the challenges. Shortly thereafter, Lubin collided with a TU forward while collecting a cross but was able to hang on to the ball and keep his shutout in place.

Goalkeeper Zac Lubin was named the Roughnecks Man of the Match by the Tulsa Roustabouts. (Jordan Suskind)

Black helped to settle the outcome in minute 70 when the midfielder found space down the left side for a run at goal. Black's initial shot was saved, but Lorei was in perfect position to collect the rebound and calmly rolled his shot into the lower right corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Lubin played the entire 90 minutes and was named the Man of the Match by the Tulsa Roustabouts, the Roughnecks supporters group. Lubin has come to terms with the Roughnecks on a contract this season and is awaiting FIFA approval of his transfer from his previous club in Sweden.

The Roughnecks busy preseason will continue. The club is scheduled to leave for St. Louis on Friday for a match against another first-year USL squad. Tulsa will play Saint Louis FC in a friendly at Soccer Park, with the game scheduled for a 7:30PM kickoff. There will be no YouTube broadcast of the match.

The two teams will play a return match in Tulsa at ONEOK Field on Saturday, March 21. Kickoff for that meeting in downtown Tulsa is scheduled for 7:00PM. Tickets for that game, as well as the regular season opener on March 28 against Oklahoma City, are now on sale at TulsaRoughnecksFC.com.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 12, 2015


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