LAS VEGAS, Nev. (September 26, 2018) – In a wild Wednesday match, Orange County SC defeated Las Vegas Lights FC 5-3 thereby adding to its franchise best records for wins and points in a season and clinching the first pro soccer home playoff game in Orange County history.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to quiet the crowd at Cashman Field. In the 8th minute, Orange County SC midfielder Aodhan Quinn tapped home a rebound off of a save from goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino. Orange County would double its lead in the 31st minute when forward Thomas Enevoldsen found himself behind the Lights’ defense and buried the chance.
An unfortunate deflection helped spring Las Vegas midfielder Juan Carlos Garcia, who was able to beat Orange County SC goalkeeper Andre Rawls in the 36th minute. The Lights would equalize in first half stoppage time after a chaotic scene in front of goal ended with a Miguel Garduno score.
Las Vegas took the lead early in the second frame. Forward Sammy Ochoa put home a header in the 48th minute. But substitute forward Michael Seaton was able to equalize on a shot from outside the area for Orange County. Both clubs pressed for the important next goal, and it was Seaton that did the job again for Orange County SC as he tapped the ball past Ferrino for his second goal of the night on an assist from Aodhan Quinn—who also assisted on Seaton’s first tally. Late in stoppage time, Enevoldsen would add his second goal of the contest and the fifth and final goal for Orange County in “Sin City”.
"Going into this game, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy," said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. "But once again we dug deep and found a way to win. I’m extremely proud of these players. We know we still have two games to go, but we are more motivated than ever to accomplish our goal of winning the Western Conference."
With the win, Orange County clinched a top four seed in the USL Western Conference playoffs which translates to a first round home playoff match at Championship Soccer Stadium. The victory also extended the club’s lead atop the table to four points over second place Phoenix Rising FC.
Orange County will return home for its 2018 regular season home finale on Saturday, October 6th. Tickets are available at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/tickets.
Stat Highlights
- Thomas Enevoldsen’s brace gives him 19 goals on the season, which is good for sole possession of second place in the USL’s Golden Boot race.
- Aodhan Quinn scored his 10th goal of the season and added two assists, giving him a USL-second best 13 on the campaign. He also became the third player ever to reach double digits in goals and assists.
- Michael Seaton now has 12 goals after scoring twice against Las Vegas. He is tied for 14th in the league.
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ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB
Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s only professional soccer team that is part of the United Soccer League (USL), the fastest growing Division II professional soccer league in the world. The USL is comprised of 34 teams across the United States. The team plays its home games at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium, located in Irvine, CA. Nestled in the heart of the Great Park, Championship Soccer Stadium has a capacity of over 5,000 for Orange County SC matches. Orange County SC is also the official affiliate partner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. Orange County SC was one of 12 founding members of the USL during its inaugural 2011 season. The preceding club, Orange County Blues, won the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Championship and reached the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Team owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased and re-branded the team in 2017. Keston, who actively oversees all operations of the team, is dedicated to providing a pathway to professional soccer and a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County.
For more information about Orange County Soccer Club, and to experience professional soccer in the OC, visit: https://www.orangecountysoccer.com. For more information about the United Soccer League, visit: http://www.uslsoccer.com.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (September 26, 2018) – In a wild Wednesday match, Orange County SC defeated Las Vegas Lights FC 5-3 thereby adding to its franchise best records for wins and points in a season and clinching the first pro soccer home playoff game in Orange County history.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to quiet the crowd at Cashman Field. In the 8th minute, Orange County SC midfielder Aodhan Quinn tapped home a rebound off of a save from goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino. Orange County would double its lead in the 31st minute when forward Thomas Enevoldsen found himself behind the Lights’ defense and buried the chance.
An unfortunate deflection helped spring Las Vegas midfielder Juan Carlos Garcia, who was able to beat Orange County SC goalkeeper Andre Rawls in the 36th minute. The Lights would equalize in first half stoppage time after a chaotic scene in front of goal ended with a Miguel Garduno score.
Las Vegas took the lead early in the second frame. Forward Sammy Ochoa put home a header in the 48th minute. But substitute forward Michael Seaton was able to equalize on a shot from outside the area for Orange County. Both clubs pressed for the important next goal, and it was Seaton that did the job again for Orange County SC as he tapped the ball past Ferrino for his second goal of the night on an assist from Aodhan Quinn—who also assisted on Seaton’s first tally. Late in stoppage time, Enevoldsen would add his second goal of the contest and the fifth and final goal for Orange County in “Sin City”.
“Going into this game, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. “But once again we dug deep and found a way to win. I’m extremely proud of these players. We know we still have two games to go, but we are more motivated than ever to accomplish our goal of winning the Western Conference.”
With the win, Orange County clinched a top four seed in the USL Western Conference playoffs which translates to a first round home playoff match at Championship Soccer Stadium. The victory also extended the club’s lead atop the table to four points over second place Phoenix Rising FC.
Orange County will return home for its 2018 regular season home finale on Saturday, October 6th. Tickets are available at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/tickets.
Stat Highlights
- Thomas Enevoldsen’s brace gives him 19 goals on the season, which is good for sole possession of second place in the USL’s Golden Boot race.
- Aodhan Quinn scored his 10th goal of the season and added two assists, giving him a USL-second best 13 on the campaign. He also became the third player ever to reach double digits in goals and assists.
- Michael Seaton now has 12 goals after scoring twice against Las Vegas. He is tied for 14th in the league.
# # #
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB
Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s only professional soccer team that is part of the United Soccer League (USL), the fastest growing Division II professional soccer league in the world. The USL is comprised of 34 teams across the United States. The team plays its home games at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium, located in Irvine, CA. Nestled in the heart of the Great Park, Championship Soccer Stadium has a capacity of over 5,000 for Orange County SC matches. Orange County SC is also the official affiliate partner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. Orange County SC was one of 12 founding members of the USL during its inaugural 2011 season. The preceding club, Orange County Blues, won the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Championship and reached the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Team owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased and re-branded the team in 2017. Keston, who actively oversees all operations of the team, is dedicated to providing a pathway to professional soccer and a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County.
For more information about Orange County Soccer Club, and to experience professional soccer in the OC, visit: https://www.orangecountysoccer.com. For more information about the United Soccer League, visit: http://www.uslsoccer.com.
