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Monarchs Rise in Moment

By CHARLIE CORR - charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com, 03/27/16, 1:30AM EDT

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Orellana's stoppage-time goal lifts Salt Lake past Saint Louis FC

SANDY, Utah – Real Monarchs SLC needed stoppage time, but the club that finished last season with a vengeance started 2016 with a familiar victory. Maikon Orellana scored a few seconds into extra time and the Monarchs earned a 1-0 victory against Western Conference newcomer Saint Louis FC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday.

The Monarchs extended their winning streak to six, dating back to last season.

The winning sequence was generated from a throw-in on the left side. Devon Sandoval collected at the end line and he headed to Orellana, who fired an absolute blast from close range inside the left post for the go-ahead goal.

The soccer portion took a back seat when the match was delayed in the 34th minute when medical staff tended to a situation involving the Monarchs’ Omar Holness. Updates on the situation will be directed by the Monarchs and Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake. Alec Sundly checked in for the Monarchs when play resumed.

Both sides struggled with the final couple touches in the offensive third. The chances were certainly there. The Monarchs had multiple corner kick chances early in the second half while Saint Louis had some sporadic shots, but they were from distance and didn’t really threaten the net.

Saint Louis knocked on the door in the 68th minute with a free kick opportunity. Jamiel Hardware’s right-footed shot got around the Monarchs’ four-man wall and was headed toward the left post. Monarchs goalkeeper Jeff Attinella was on top of it with a diving save to his right to maintain the scoreless affair.

Still scoreless in the 83rd minute, the Monarchs created a great chance when second-half sub Eti Tavares crossed from the right side to Sandoval converging toward the far left post. Sandoval had a clear pathway and some space between Saint Louis’ defense, but he headed the ball about a foot over the crossbar.

Sandoval, though, made up for that with the assist to Orellana for the winner.

Saint Louis (0-1-0, 0 points) will have a short window before its next game against the LA Galaxy II on Wednesday at StubHub Center (10:30 p.m. ET kickoff). The Monarchs (1-0-0, 3 points) remain at home to take on the Galaxy II on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium (9 p.m. ET kickoff).