Matches Phoenix Rising FC Recap

Cortez hat trick leads Phoenix Rising FC past Oklahoma City Energy FC

Phoenix Rising FC’s Chris Cortez, right, heads the ball in the net psst Oklahoma City Energy FC goalkeeper Matt V,an Ockel for his third goal of the game Saturday, Mar. 24, 2018 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Scottsdale, Ariz. Photo by Aaron Blau/Firebird Soccer

Chris Cortez scored a hat trick to lead Phoenix Rising FC to its first win of the season, a 4-1 victory over Oklahoma City Energy FC Saturday night in front of 6,828 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, the second-largest crowd in team history.

STARTING XI (4-3-3) (SUBS): GK- Carl Woszczynski; D- Amadou Dia (L), Doueuegi Mala (C), Mike da Fonte (C), Devonte Dubose (R); MF- Kevon Lambert, Colin Fernandez, Gladson Awako (Lucca Ricci, 74); F- Solomon Asante (Alessandro Riggi 90 + 5), Chris Cortez, Jason Johnson.

SUBS NOT USED: GK-Zac Lubin; D- Kody Wakasa, Victor Vasquez; F- Billy Forbes, Kevaughn Frater.

GAME SUMMARY: Phoenix Rising had the better of the chances in the first half of play. In the 10th minute, Solomon Asante played a nice ball into the box, and Chris Cortez tried to play a cute backheel this just missed on the short side. Two minutes later, Asante played a cross into the box where Jason Johnson just missed a header back post. Phoenix Rising would get on the board in the 28th minute when Asante used his speed to get in behind the OKC Energy defense and rocketed a ball in the upper near 90 to beat Matt Van Ockel for a 1-0 lead. Johnson almost doubled the lead six minutes later, but Van Ockel made a big save short side to keep it 1-0. Phoenix doubled the lead in the 45 minute when Kevon Lambert headed a ball to Chris Cortez, who rifled a ball past Van Ockel for the 2-0 lead.

Phoenix would up the lead to 3-0 when Colin Fernandez threw a cross to the head of Cortez, who hit it right past Van Ockel. Oklahoma City would strike back when Christian Ibeagha would slot a rebound past Carl Woszczynski to get them on the board and make it 3-1. Cortez would complete the hat trick in extra time, getting a great ball from substitute Luca Ricci and headed it past Van Ockel for the final goal of the evening.

UP NEXT: Phoenix Rising travels to Nevada to take on Reno 1868 FC. Game time is at 4 p.m. Arizona time.