Solomon Asante plays a ball in from the right side of the pitch in play on April 7.  (Aaron Blau/Firebird Soccer)

In their first meeting with Swope Park Rangers since last year’s first round playoff match, Solomon Asante scored just before extra time to steal a point for Phoenix Rising FC, ending the match in a 2-2 draw Saturday in front of 6,310 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.

The biggest question heading into the match was whether Phoenix Rising would be able to finish any of its chances after missing so many the previous match. The answer in the first half was a solid no, as Swope Park was able to keep close to 75 percent of the possession, forcing Phoenix Rising, without the services of Didier Drogba due to injury, to lean on the counter attack. Neither team had any dangerous chances though, as the Phoenix backline was able to keep Kharlton Belmar and the rest of Swope Park attack under wraps.

The second half was a different story however, as Phoenix Rising was able to maintain more possession and started to press Swope Park in their own half. It paid off in the 66^th minute as Billy Forbes was able to toe-poke a layoff from Asante into the far post for the 1-0 lead. The lead was short lived however, as Swope Park came right back four minutes later. Belmar was left free at the back post on a corner kick, as Jason Johnson and Kevon Lambert both missed opportunities to mark Belmar, who headed it in to tie the match at 1-1. With each team pushing for the winner and Phoenix Rising bringing on both Kevaughn Frater and Collin Fernandez, it was Swope Park grabbing their second. Again, it was Belmar with a run right down the middle of the field, slipping it past Carl Woszczynski to give Swope Park its first lead of the night. With extra time approaching, Asante was able to squeeze in a shot right outside the 18 to send the sellout crowd at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex into a craze.

Phoenix will look to use that momentum next week when expansion side Fresno FC comes into town for the second of a three game homestand.

Scoring Summary
66’- PHX Forbes (Assist-Asante)
70’- SPR Belmar (Assist-Hernandez)
88’- SPR Belmar
90’- PHX Asante (Assist-Forbes)

Discipline
8’- PHX, Lambert (Yellow)
25’- SPR, Hernandez (Yellow)
28’- SPR, Didic (Yellow)
45’- PHX, Dubose (Yellow)
52’ PHX, Musa (Yellow)
77’, SPR, Kuzain (Yellow)
89’- SPR, Belmar (Yellow)
90’- PHX, Lambert (Second Yellow, Red)

Lineups
Phoenix Rising
Woszczynski, Dia, Mala, Da Fonte, Dubose, Lambert, Musa (Fernandez 86), Awako (Johnson 65), Forbes, Asante, Cortez© (Frater 81).

Swope Park Rangers
Zendejas, Storm, Didic, Smith, Maher, Kuzain, Hernandez (Minter 72), Saravia©, Belmar, Berry, Blackwood (Benitez 90).

Up Next: Sat., Apr. 28 vs. Fresno FC at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. Kickoff at 7 p.m.