TULSA, Okla. – Irvin Herrera had a four-goal night as Saint Louis FC set a new club record for goals in a game in a 5-2 victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday night at ONEOK Field. Saint Louis took the lead in the 10th minute, as a perfect cross from the right by Mike Ambersley found Herrera 10 yards out at the far post for a flicked header into the left corner. Tulsa was reduced to 10 men when Iarfhlaith Davoren was shown a straight red card, but the hosts responded strongly as Jasson Ramos Carpio and Sammy Ochoa put them on top before the halftime break. Saint Louis grabbed back control as Herrera leveled early in the second half off Ambersley’s second assist of the night, and he then struck twice more to put Saint Louis on top before James Musa added a fifth with six minutes to go.

Scoring:
10’ – STL – Irvin Herrera (Mike Ambersley)
29’ – TUL – Jasson Ramos Carpio (Sammy Ochoa)
37’ – TUL – Sammy Ochoa (Jasson Ramos Carpio)
53’ – STL – Irvin Herrera (Mike Ambersley)
71’ – STL – Irvin Herrera (Jamiel Hardware)
78’ – STL – Irvin Herrera (Brandon Barklage)
84’ – STL – James Musa (Sam Fink)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Saint Louis’ opening goal again exposed the defensive problems that have plagued the Roughnecks this season. Despite equal numbers on the flank, Saint Louis’ passing was able to create time and space for Mike Ambersley to deliver a cross to the far post where Irvin Herrera had lost his marker, and the El Salvador international nodded home his finish for an early lead.

• 2. A way back into the game seemingly became even more difficult to navigate for Tulsa soon after, as Iarfhlaith Davoren was sent off for hard challenge on Drew Conner in the 17th minute, but the incident seemed to cause the visitors to lose focus despite being up a man. Jasson Ramos Carpio’s goal came after a good turn and shot, but goalkeeper Mark Pais would have normally expected to save the shot, while midfielder Chad Bond brought the team together after Sammy Ochoa’s deft header put the Roughnecks ahead with eight minutes to go before halftime.

• 3. The pep talk appeared to provide Saint Louis with greater focus, and Herrera’s ability to slip away from defenders again proved crucial as he notched a remarkable night. A deep cross that was sent back across the six-yard area by Ambersley for his second assist of the night made it level eight minutes into the second half, and Jamiel Hardware’s brilliant cutback with 19 minutes to go found Herrera all alone at the penalty spot for a clinical finish. Herrera’s then capped his performance with 12 minutes as he slipped in behind the Tulsa defense and fired low into the right corner.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Irvin Herrera, Saint Louis FC – The El Salvador international put in a masterful performance as Saint Louis notched five goals in a game for the first time in its young history. After falling at Louisville a week ago, the win provided a nice bounce-back and solidified the side’s  place in the West’s top eight.

Upcoming Games:

June 4: Tulsa Roughnecks FC vs. OKC Energy FC, 8:30 p.m. ET, ONEOK Field

May 25: Saint Louis FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, 8:30 p.m. ET, World Wide Technology Soccer Park