Orange County SC played to a thrilling 2-2 draw with Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, March 9 at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, CA. OCSC saw opening match goals from midfielder Seth Casiple and the hero of the match, goalkeeper Colin Shutler, in the final minute of stoppage time.
The home team had the fist chance of the night in the ninth minute as Sacramento Republic FC captain Rodrigo López dribbled his way along the right side of the box, crossing the ball in towards goal. The ball connected with the head of midfielder Rafael Jauregui, whose shot attempt was deflected away by Orange County SC defender Ashton Miles.
Sacramento found themselves with another opportunity in the 20th minute as defender Jack Gurr played the ball into the box from the right side of the pitch. The ball deflected off OCSC goalkeeper Colin Shutler and found its way to Sacramento midfielder Cristian Parano, who fired a shot that was saved by Shutler. However, the ball deflected into the path of forward Trevor Amann, who’s shot was deflected away by Miles, but only as far as defender Damia Viader. Viader put one over the bar, clearing away the danger for Orange County.
Sacramento broke through in the 28th minute after Parano sent in a cross to a streaking Amann who connected on a header into the top left corner of the net just past Shutler for the goal, putting Sacramento ahead 1-0.
The Black and Orange evened the score in the 42nd minute as debutant midfielder Sofiane Djeffal sent in a corner from the left side of the pitch. The cross found the right foot of Miles, whose epic backheeled karate kick around a defender was saved off the crossbar by Sacramento goalkeeper Jared Mazzola. The ball deflected right to OCSC midfielder Seth Casiple, who was in the right place at the right time to tap in the header for the goal, leveling the score at 1-1 heading into the halftime break.
Sacramento had the first chance of the second half in the 55th minute as midfielder Nick Ross slid a pass into the center of the box for Lopez. Lopez slid in a right-footed-strike that was saved by Shutler.
In the 77th minute, Ross again found a streaking Amann on the left side of the box. Amann took a couple touches before striking one from the left side of the box into the top left corner of the net over the head of Shutler, giving Sacramento a 2-1 lead.
OCSC attempted to counter late in the 87th minute as Casiple found defender Owen Lambe making a run on the right side of the box. Lambe sent in a cross that deflected off Sacramento defender Jared Timmer and was saved by Mazzola in the bottom left corner of the net.
Orange County SC found the equalizer in the final minute of stoppage time as Lambe drew a corner kick on the right side of the box. Lambe sent a dangerous cross into the box, where Colin Shutler, some 100 yards out of his goal, rose highest in the crowd to head home the equalizer and rescue a point at the death for the Black and Orange and level the match 2-2.
OCSC will continue their road trip next week when they head to the Steel City for a duel with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The Black and Orange will play their first match at Championship Stadium in 2024 on Saturday, March 23, when they host Miami FC at 7:00 PM for our Home Opener. Grab your tickets here today!
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Midfielder Sofiane Djeffal and forward Ethan Zubak made their first appearances for OCSC tonight.
Midfielder Seth Casiple scored the first goal of the 2024 USL Championship regular season tonight for Orange County SC. It was his second goal in an Orange County shirt, both coming on the road against Sacramento.
Goalkeeper Colin Shutler scored his first ever goal for Orange County SC tonight and the first of his professional career. He is the third goalie in USL Championship history to score a goal for his club.
| TEAM | FIRST HALF | SECOND HALF | FULL TIME |
| OCSC | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| SRFC | 1 | 1 | 2 |
SCORING SUMMARY:
29’ Trevor Amann (SRFC)
42’ Seth Casiple (OCSC)
77’ Trevor Amann (SRFC)
90+6’ Colin Shutler (OCSC)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
35’ Kevin Partida
45+2’ Sofiane Djeffal
90+3’ Colin Shutler
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC
40’ Rafael Jauregui
51’ Jared Mazzola
79’ Trevor Amann
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Colin Shutler (GK); Ryan Doghman (Christian Sorto 79’), Markus Nakkim (C), Ashton Miles, Owen Lambe; Kevin Partida (Andrew Fox 71’), Seth Casiple, Sofiane Djeffal, Brian Iloski (Ashish Chattha 71’); Ethan Zubak (Thomas Amang 60’) (Dillon Powers 90+8’), Bryce Jamison (Cameron Dunbar 60’)
Unused subs: Duran Ferree (GK)
Head Coach: Morten Karlsen
Possession: 46% | Shots: 7 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corners: 4 | Fouls: 9 | Offsides: 0 |
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC LINEUP:
Jared Mazzola (GK); Lee Desmond, Conor Donovan, Jared Timmer, Damià Viader (Luis Felipe 78’), Jack Gurr; Rodrigo López (C) (Shane Wiedt 90+2’), Nick Ross, Rafael Jauregui (Aldair Sanchez 64’), Cristian Parano (Jonathan Ricketts 64’); Trevor Amann
Unused subs: Daniel Vitiello (GK); Blake Willey, Da’vian Kimbrough, Felix Contreras, Luis Garcia
Head Coach: Mark Briggs
Possession: 54% | Shots: 12 | Shots On Goal: 5 | Corners: 3 | Fouls: 13 | Offsides: 2 |
Orange County SC @ Sacramento Republic FC
2024 USL Championship | Matchday 1
Date: March 9, 2024
Venue: Heart Health Park (Sacramento, CA)
Weather: Who lives in the goal and SCORES all he seeeesssss…