Asante’s Second-Half Hat-Trick Can’t Help Phoenix in 4-3 Loss to OCSC
Solomon Asante scored a second-half hat-trick in the last 21 minutes but Phoenix still fell short in a 4-3 loss to Orange County.
Using the same lineup as last week’s victory in Portland, Phoenix was dealt an early blow in the 14th minute when Alessandro Riggi was forced off with an apparent knee injury. His status after the game was unconfirmed but he will be undergoing tests tomorrow. Jason Johnson took his spot and made an impact 9 minutes later with a dazzling run down the left sideline before disposing of three defenders, giving him a clear chance at goal. Unfortunately, the shot was right at OC keeper Andre Rawls and the score stayed 0-0. Orange County opened the scoring in the 39th minute when Michael Seaton curled a low shot around two Rising players and then finding its way past Woszczynski on the far post. Orange County doubled their lead 4 minutes into the second half, this time Thomas Enevoldsen snuck a shot inside the left post after being given to much space to work with.
With an eye on a comeback, Johnson again popped up in the 52nd minute trying to replicate his famous scissor kick. He connected with the ball but the shot was right at Rawls. OCSC added their third and fourth goals in quick succession, in the 65th and 67th minutes. A questionable penalty was called and converted for the third goal then Michael Seaton grabbed his second of the match, floating past Mike Da Fonte before receiving a lofted pass and slotting it by Woz.
Down four goals, Rising FC, and Solomon Asante, in particular, seemed to awaken from a 70-minute nap. Asante was taken down in the box and with a penalty called, slotted his shot into the net to cut the lead to three. He added his second 6 minutes later, sneaking a toe-poke of a shot to the near post from a deflected shot by Devante Dubose. Phoenix continued to push, with a chance just a minute later. Untouched, Johnson floated into the box from the middle of the field and had a free header at goal but it went just wide into the smoke still hanging in the air from the prior goal. Both Johnson and the Kevaughn Frater (83′ substitute) had shots on goal, each banging a shot off the post. Asante’s third goal came in the 94th minute, receiving the ball from Evan Waldrep and driving to the right side of the 18-yard box before releasing a cannon shot into the back of the net. The final whistle was called shortly after and Phoenix suffers their second top-3 matchup loss in three weeks.
Head coach Rick Schantz was critical of the team’s performance in the post-game press conference. “…the 3rd and 4th goals I was disappointed about because it looks like we let down. I expected more from our guys tonight.” Though pleased with the effort in the last 20 minutes of the game, he was critical of captain Solomon Asante, commenting ” I don’t think he was in the game very early.” Asante seemed to agree, “In the second half we did very well, we were pushing, we changed the tactics. We took some risks, and as the captain I have to lift up my game to encourage the rest on the field.”
Phoenix falls to 12-6-5 with the loss and is now in fourth place, three points behind Orange County in second and two points behind Sacramento Republic in third, still with a game in hand compared to both teams.
Scoring Summary
39’- Michael Seaton, OCSC
48’- Thomas Enevoldsen, OCSC
65’- Aodhan Quinn(P), OCSC
67’- Michael Seaton, OCSC
69- Solomon Asante(P), PHX
73’- Solomon Asante, PHX
94’- Solomon Asante, PHX
Phoenix Rising XI: Woszczynski, Dia, Mala, Da Fonte, Dubose (Frater 83), Lambert, Fernandez (Waldrep 61), Vega, Asante, Cortez, Riggi (Johnson 14)
Orange County SC XI: Rawls, Alston, Powder, Cragnale, Hume, Quinn, Duke, Bjurman (Godoy 57), Jones (Amico 89), Enevoldsen, Seaton (Hashimoto 84)
Up Next: Phoenix makes the 4-hour trip to Las Vegas to take on Lights FC next Saturday, the 18th, at 8:00pm
