May 7, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Phoenix Rising FC News Release
PHOENIX, Arizona – Greg Hurst scored twice in the first half and Richmond Antwi added an insurance goal just before the final whistle as Phoenix improved to 6-3-0 on the season. Rising plays midweek in Sacramento in a Round of 32 U.S. Open Cup match but returns to Wild Horse Pass next Sunday, May 15 to face Tampa Bay. That match will air live on ESPN2, beginning at 6 p.m. and will feature postgame fireworks.
Rising earned three corners in the first three minutes of the match and had San Antonio on its heels when Hurst brought down a cross that was played into the area and fired a shot from close range. Fortunately for the visitors, Hurst’s shot attempt was blocked by a defender and the match continued scoreless through the 12th minute.
San Antonio’s Victor Giro came free then and should have put his team ahead if not for Rising goalkeeper Ben Lundt, who read the play perfectly and made a diving save for Phoenix.
The end-to-end action continued with chances from Santi Moar and Marcus Epps but San Antonio goalkeeper Jordan Farr answered both challenges in spectacular fashion.
Rising broke through in the 26th minute when a nice build up down the right flank opened space for Moar to take a rip from just beyond the area. Moar’s shot looked to be drifting towards the back post, but Hurst stepped in front of the ball and headed it the opposite direction, crossing up Farr and sending the ball into the back of the net to put Rising ahead 1-0.
Phoenix doubled its lead in the 34th minute when Baboucarr Njie sent in a cross from the left flank. Hurst was there to bring the ball down with his chest and before gravity could play its part, the forward volleyed a shot into the back of the net with a right-footed strike. The World-class goal gave Rising a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
Lundt was called upon in the 60th minute when a ball from the left flank was centered for Giro. Wide open in…