IRVINE, Calif. (March 28, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club traveled to Oklahoma today for their first road trip of the 2018 season to tackle OKC Energy FC at Taft Stadium. Orange County SC went into the match knowing it was important to set the pace early and get out on top of an aggressive OKC Energy and come out with the 1-0 win.
Within the first ten minutes of the match, it was clear Orange County SC would dominate the first half of play. OKC Energy FC saw the damage that forwards Mark Segbers and Thomas Enevlodsen could do early on in the match. In the second minute, Enevoldsen sent a skillful first time pass to Segbers who, from a tight angle, sent a low shot toward the net but it went slightly wide to the left. Then in the 13th minute Segbers sent a low fizzing cross to Enevoldsen who finished confidently with a first time strike from the center of the box to the bottom left corner. In the 40th minute, Enevoldsen linked with midfielder Richard Chaplow on the edge of the box, however Chaplow’s attempted left footed shot from outside the box barely missing to the right. The teams would head to the locker rooms at the end of the half with Orange County SC up 1-0.
IRVINE, Calif. (March 28, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club traveled to Oklahoma today for their first road trip of the 2018 season to tackle OKC Energy FC at Taft Stadium. Orange County SC went into the match knowing it was important to set the pace early and get out on top of an aggressive OKC Energy and come out with the 1-0 win.
Within the first ten minutes of the match, it was clear Orange County SC would dominate the first half of play. OKC Energy FC saw the damage that forwards Mark Segbers and Thomas Enevlodsen could do early on in the match. In the second minute, Enevoldsen sent a skillful first time pass to Segbers who, from a tight angle, sent a low shot toward the net but it went slightly wide to the left. Then in the 13th minute Segbers sent a low fizzing cross to Enevoldsen who finished confidently with a first time strike from the center of the box to the bottom left corner. In the 40th minute, Enevoldsen linked with midfielder Richard Chaplow on the edge of the box, however Chaplow’s attempted left footed shot from outside the box barely missing to the right. The teams would head to the locker rooms at the end of the half with Orange County SC up 1-0.
In the 56th minute, Orange County SC almost scored their second goal of the night when midfielder Mats Bjurman sent a cross to an awaiting Richard Chaplow. Chaplow attempted a delightful lob from outside the box, beating Matt Van Oekel in the OKC goal but he was denied by the inside of the left post. Orange County SC saw out the remainder of the half with relative ease, limiting OKC Energy to strikes from long distance and long balls into the box. The result hands Orange County SC both their first win and clean sheet of the season, they also became the first visiting team to win at Taft Stadium since July 2017.
"We came out the blocks quick and set the tone early, carrying out our game plan that was given to us," said Orange County SC midfielder Richard Chaplow. "This helped us gain a firm grip on the game which ultimately lead to our goal. It was a must win game for us as we feel we deserved more out of the last two games, we are delighted to be up and running with the win."
Orange County SC continue their Oklahoma road trip on Saturday, March 31st when the team tackles Tulsa Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field at 1:00 PM (PST). The match will be streamed online at uslsoccer.com/match-center. The team returns home to the Championship Soccer Stadium on Saturday, April 7th at 7:00 PM for the first installment of the 405 Derby again LA Galaxy II. Tickets for upcoming home matches are available online at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com or via phone at (949) 647-GOAL.
Photo credit: Steven Christy | Energy FC
In the 56th minute, Orange County SC almost scored their second goal of the night when midfielder Mats Bjurman sent a cross to an awaiting Richard Chaplow. Chaplow attempted a delightful lob from outside the box, beating Matt Van Oekel in the OKC goal but he was denied by the inside of the left post. Orange County SC saw out the remainder of the half with relative ease, limiting OKC Energy to strikes from long distance and long balls into the box. The result hands Orange County SC both their first win and clean sheet of the season, they also became the first visiting team to win at Taft Stadium since July 2017.
“We came out the blocks quick and set the tone early, carrying out our game plan that was given to us,” said Orange County SC midfielder Richard Chaplow. “This helped us gain a firm grip on the game which ultimately lead to our goal. It was a must win game for us as we feel we deserved more out of the last two games, we are delighted to be up and running with the win.”
Orange County SC continue their Oklahoma road trip on Saturday, March 31st when the team tackles Tulsa Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field at 1:00 PM (PST). The match will be streamed online at uslsoccer.com/match-center. The team returns home to the Championship Soccer Stadium on Saturday, April 7th at 7:00 PM for the first installment of the 405 Derby again LA Galaxy II. Tickets for upcoming home matches are available online at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com or via phone at (949) 647-GOAL.
Photo credit: Steven Christy | Energy FC