STLFC Earns Dramatic 2-1 Win Away to Reno 1868 FC
July 29, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Saint Louis FC News Release
RENO, Nv. - Saint Louis FC won 2-1 away to Reno 1868 FC in front of 6,680 fans at Greater Nevada Field in Match 21 of the USL Regular Season.
Reno played with 10 men for a majority of the game after Eric Calvillo was sent off in 15th minute but they would score in first half stoppage time through Chris Wehan after he pounced on a rebound save from STLFC goalkeeper Jake Fenlason. Saint Louis FC would equalize from the penalty spot in the 74th minute as Wal Fall earned and converted the penalty kick before Sam Fink earned the win with a header in stoppage time from a long throw to claim all three points. The win sees Saint Louis FC improve to 6-6-8 with 26 points while Reno 1868 FC falls to 10-4-7 with 37 points in the USL Western Conference.
The first half saw Saint Louis FC dominate possession and earn an early opportunity from a free kick situation just outside the box that Lewis Hilton hit hard to the bottom corner but it was well-saved by Reno goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski in the 10th minute. STLFC would then gain an advantage when Calvillo was sent off for taking down Pierre Da Silva just outside the box in the 15th minute to put Reno 1868 down a man for the remainder of the game. Kyle Greig would come closest to scoring for the away side in the 39th minute with a header that went narrowly wide before Reno would counter down the field and score through Wehan after Fenlason saved Brian Brown's initial shot in first half stoppage time.
The second half saw more of the same as STLFC controlled the game and looked for an equalizer which Hilton nearly found in the 69th minute as he was played through on goal but his left-footed shot went wide. Substitute Wal Fall would make the difference shortly afterwards, however, as he earned a penalty kick and coolly slotted it past Marcinkowski in the 74th minute for his second goal of the season. Fink would then become the hero for the away side in stoppage time as he got on the end of a long throw from substitute Corey Hertzog and his header nestled in the corner to earn the win and a critical three points for Saint Louis FC.
"It's a huge three points for us," said STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis. "We completely dominated the game and it was a deserved win in my opinion. Credit to Reno for the way they defended and made it difficult for us to break them down. I'm extremely proud of the guys for the persistence they showed and not giving in right to the end."
UPCOMING GAMES:
Saint Louis FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Saturday, August 4th at 7:30 p.m. CT at Toyota Stadium
Reno 1868 FC at Real Monarchs SLC - Wednesday, August 8th at 9:00 p.m. CT at Zions Bank Stadium
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 29, 2018
- Steel FC Offense Erupts in 4-1 Victory over Atlanta United 2 - Philadelphia Union II
- Atlanta United 2 loses at Bethlehem Steel 4-1 - Atlanta United 2
- STLFC Earns Dramatic 2-1 Win Away to Reno 1868 FC - Saint Louis FC
- Real Monarchs SLC Throttles Phoenix Rising FC 4-1 - Real Monarchs
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