July 9, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – FC Tucson News Release
Ruben Bonilla scored a goal early off a rebound and Emiliano Andraux made five saves to secure an essential point in a tough 1-1 draw with undefeated San Diego Select Loyal at Kino North Stadium on Friday night.
Tucson got the ball rolling in the 8th minute when midfielder Edgar Leyva sent a cross in from outside the box that met the feet of a San Diego defender. The ball bounced off of the defender and into the path of forward Ruben Bonilla who easily sent the ball under the arm of San Diego goalkeeper Lucas Beltran to open the scoring in the 8th minute.
Goalkeeper Emilian Andraux came up big with three saves in the first half to keep FC Tucson in the lead.
FC Tucson continued to press for a second goal in the first half, but could not find the back of the net with each shot being stopped by Beltran or hitting the post.
San Diego didn’t waste any time in the second half with Ian Wagner slotting the ball into the back of the net for the equalizer in the 47th minute.
Chances continued to come for Tucson to grab the game-winner, but they could not break through Beltran.
San Diego pressed late in the second half, but Andraux came up big in the 88th minute and 89th minute to keep the score level.
San Diego (3-0-1, seven points) is first in USL Academy Southwest Division with four wins in its first four matches and drops points with the draw in its first away match of the season.
FC Tucson heads back out on the road in a quick turnaround as it travels to Texas to take on El Paso Locomotive on Monday, July 11.
GOALS
8â² – TUC – Ruben Bonilla
47â² – SDL – Ian Wagner
QUOTES
“I thought that the guys came ready to compete against a team that was better in the first game. I think the performance overall was good tonight from the guys. San Diego is a good team and we knew it, but they came to match intensity and that made a difference in the game.” – FC Tucson Pro Academy Head Coach Sebastian Pineda
“They came ready to work, ready to play together and we created chances and created opportunities, unfortunately we couldn’t get the goal but, I think that the opportunity to see that if they trust each other and keep working hard we’re going to keep getting better results.” – FC Tucson Pro Academy Head Coach Sebastian Pineda
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