May 14, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento, Calif. – Republic FC continued its unbeaten streak on Saturday night with a 3-1 victory against Eastern Conference foe Indy Eleven at Heart Health Park. The win marks the club’s ninth consecutive match without a loss – unbeaten in all nine league matches this season.
A hat trick from Russell Cicerone – the first for the club since March 24, 2019 when Cam Iwasa netted three against Oklahoma City Energy – led Sacramento on the offensive end. The three-score performance was the second of his career, with the last coming in August 2021 when he netted three against Atlanta United 2 while a member of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
Sacramento started fast, going up two nil by the time the 10th minute came around. Cicerone scored his first two in the 3rd and 8th minutes, taking advantage of mistakes from the visitors forced by Sebastian Herrera’s aggressive play. As the club dominated on the offensive end, the backline continued its stellar form, not allowing a shot on target for the entire first half.
The two scores were the fourth and fifth from the club to come in the first 10 minutes of a game this season. But the club’s attack didn’t stop putting on pressure, as Jack Gurr nearly found the net on two occasions. One was denied by a leaping save at the half-hour mark, before a second went just high of the crossbar in first-half stoppage time.
Sacramento nearly found a third in the opening minutes of the second half, when Conor Donovan got a foot on a cross from the right. The center back narrowly missed putting in his first score of 2023 as the goalkeeper was able to parry it away. The visitors cut their deficit in half in the 51st minute – off the foot of Indy’s Robby Dambrot, the goal marked just the third score Sacramento has conceded this season.
Cicerone found a third for the club, and his third of the match in the 87th minute after the club raced forward in transition. His three scores move him into a tie for the league lead in scoring with Monterey Bay F.C.’s Alex Dixon and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s Albert Dikwa.
Republic FC continues the 2023 USL Championship season on the road this coming Wednesday. On May 17, the Indomitable Club travels south to Irvine to face Orange County SC for the first time this season. Kickoff from Championship Soccer Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m., and the match will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on Antenna TV…