COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC moved into first place in the Western Conference with a 1-0 win against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Thursday night at Switchbacks Stadium. Both teams had chances in the opening 20 minutes, but while the Switchbacks had the better of the first half overall, they were unable to find a decisive finish as the game was left scoreless at the break. Colorado Springs continued to press early in the second half, and had a shot by Miguel Gonzalez saved by Roughnecks goalkeeper Alex Mangels. The Switchbacks then got a big chance when Gonzalez was brought down for a penalty kick, but Mangels got down well to his left to deny Marty Maybin’s low shot and keep the game scoreless. Colorado Springs took the lead on the hour-mark, however, when Conor Doyle’s finish off a cross by Taesong Kim crept inside the left post. The Roughnecks looked to find an equalizer, and Taylor Morgan had a shot saved by Switchbacks goalkeeper Devala Gorrick with 15 minutes to go. The Switchbacks held firm late on, however, to snap a five game winless streak.

Scoring:  
60’ – COS – Conor Doyle (Taesong Kim)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. When Martin Maybin’s penalty kick was saved early in the second half by Tulsa goalkeeper Alex Mangels, it could easily have started to feel like another of those nights for the Switchbacks. After numerous chances to take victory in recent weeks, however, the Switchbacks continued patience paid off as they eked out a victory that moved the side top of the Western Conference on Conor Doyle’s first goal on loan with the club from the Colorado Rapids. Breaking a five-game winless run will be a nice boost for Colorado Springs, as it now gets over a week off before seeing action again.

• 2. Looking at his statistics, it’s clear Roughnecks goalkeeper Alex Mangels has had a busy rookie season for Tulsa, but leading the league in both saves and save percentage might not tell the full story of how good the former Cal standout has been. His penalty save on Martin Maybin was another illustration of how well Mangels reads potential shots and play. While some of his saves this season have been spectacular, more have been as a result of Mangels putting himself in the right position at the right time.

• 3. The Switchbacks get the next 10 days off, but then comes a week that could be pivotal to their season. In the span of eight days, Colorado Springs plays host to Rio Grande Valley FC and OKC Energy FC – the second of those games being the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3 – and then visit the Toros in South Texas. Those three contest are followed by games against fellow contenders the LA Galaxy II and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, which should make for a fascinating stretch run in the West.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Conor Doyle, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Doyle’s first goal on loan from  the Rapids proved the difference for the Switchbacks as they moved top of the Western Conference standings.

Upcoming Games:

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC – August 21, 3:30 p.m. ET, Switchbacks Stadium

Tulsa Roughnecks FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC – August 18, 8:30 p.m. ET, ONEOK Field