April 1, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Las Vegas Lights FC News Release
Las Vegas Lights FC defeated Oakland Roots SC 3-0 on Saturday night at Pioneer Stadium in Hayward, Calif., behind goals from Coleman Gannon, Gaoussou Samaké and Valentin Nöel.
Baboucarr Njie had the first real opportunity of the match for Oakland in the 31st minute when his shot from outside the box forced Vegas goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena into a diving save.
Njie nearly opened the scoring again two minutes later when his header from six yards out was right at Arozarena.
Vegas went ahead in the first minute of the second half when Gannon received the ball on the top of the 18-yard box with his back to goal, turned to the inside and fired a left-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Paul Blanchette.
Arozarena kept Vegas ahead in the 48th minute when he came up big to deny a close-range opportunity from Trayvone Reid.
The Lights doubled their lead in the 50th minute when Nöel slipped Samaké in behind and the Ivorian roofed his left-footed shot past Blanchette.
Vegas almost had a third in the 61st minute with beautiful build-up play when J.C. Ngando played in Samaké, who set up Riki Alba in front of goal, but his effort went wide.
Nöel iced the match in the 66th minute when Samaké returned the favor with a ball over the top that played in the Frenchman. Nöel skated to his right across the top of the box before rifling a shot to the bottom far corner.
Vegas returns home next weekend for a huge test against 2022 USL Championship winner San Antonio FC (7:30 p.m. PT; ESPN+ | TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Second-half onslaught
Vegas flexed its attacking muscle in the second half, scoring all three of its goals within the first 21 minutes after halftime. Samaké and Nöel, especially, each shined with a goal and an assist apiece.
Gannon opens account
After a promising opening month to his Vegas career, Gannon was rewarded for his efforts with his first goal. The talented 21-year-old Atlanta native has provided a huge spark in the Lights’ attacking midfield.
Back-to-back wins
After just three wins last season, Vegas has two victories on the trot and two within its first four matches to start the Dennis Sanchez era. The Lights have also earned consecutive clean sheets while limiting any real clear-cut opportunities.
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