Saturday, June 22, 2013
FRESNO, Calif. – In a pivotal matchup, the Fresno Fuego beat FC Tucson 3-1 on Saturday night at Chukchansi Park to remain undefeated (8-0-1) this season. Tyler Reinhart and Paul Islas each tallied a goal as the Fuego remain in first place in the Premier Development League’s Southwest Division with 25 points.
The same duo that has fueled the Fuego’s offensive attack for much of the season struck quickly right after one another midway through the first half. Reinhart powered his shot from 25 yards out to the upper-left corner of the net to score the match’s first goal in the 29th minute. Three minutes later, Islas finessed a ball from a tough angle in the left corner to make it 2-0 Fuego. The goal for Islas was his team-leading seventh this season. Reinhart’s goal was his fifth in 2013 PDL play.
FC Tucson pulled a goal back three minutes before halftime as Isaac Ikyurav' cross was headed home by Gabe Silveira, cutting the deficit to one at the halftime break. FC Tucson controlled the pace for most of the second half, outshooting Fresno 6-1, but were unable to take advantage of their multiple opportunities. Ricardo Velazco hit the frame of the goal twice, in the 51st and 66th minute, but the Fuego were able to hold onto their slim lead as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
Tucson's comeback hopes took a hit with five minutes to go as Travis Campbell was sent off, reducing his side to 10 men. Then in the 88th minute, Gregory Antognoli tallied his first goal of the season on a rebound attempt to give the Fuego a 3-1 advantage, putting the game away. Islas tallied the assist on Antognoli’s goal, giving Islas his fourth assist of the year.
Fresno’s next match is set for Saturday, June 29th at the Southern California Seahorses.