SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC scored twice in the opening six minutes on its way to a 5-0 victory against Sacramento Gold FC as the USL side opened its preseason in impressive fashion at American River College Soccer Stadium on Wednesday night.

Republic FC opened the scoring in just the second minute when defender Elliott Hord received the ball on the right side of the field before rushing almost to the end line near the edge of the penalty area. Hord’s ball back to the middle of the box found forward Gabe Gissie, who calmly slotted the ball back across goal into the right side of the net.

Midfielder Daniel Trickett-Smith doubled Republic FC’s lead shortly after, capitalizing after an encouraging attack near the middle of the penalty area saw forward Wilson Kneeshaw had his shot saved. The ensuing rebound was batted around before falling to Trickett-Smith, who settled the ball and shot it into the open left side of the goal.

Republic FC looked as if it might strike again in the 20th minute after Trickett-Smith recovered a loose ball at the top of the penalty area. The midfielder drove right before sending a lofted shot toward the left corner, but it glanced off the crossbar and deflected harmlessly away from goal, keeping Republic FC’s lead 2-0 at the break.

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The second half looked much like the first with Republic FC controlling most of the possession and pestering the Gold’s defense. In the 57th minute midfielder Agustin Cazarez worked the ball all the way down the left side of the pitch before laying the ball back to U-17/18 Academy midfielder Ryley Kraft, who took a touch before sending a pass in to 2016 PDL All-League selection Christian Chaney, who collected the pass, fought off a Gold defender and shot the ball into the top-right side of the net.

Republic FC’s reinforcement continued the pattern after their introduction in the 59th minute, as forward Tyler Blackwood was brought down in the penalty area to earn a penalty kick. Sacramento trialist Sammy Ochoa stepped up, fired the ball toward the top left corner and, despite getting deflected by Gold goalkeeper Sanaldo Carvahlo, found the back of the net.

Republic FC tacked on its fifth in the 81st minute when defender James Kiffe delivered a cross from the left toward the near post.  Carvahlo attempted to clear the ball with a punch, but instead re-directed the ball into the side netting for an own goal.

“I am delighted with what we have done with the ball,” said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “In any game of football it is hard to find the back of the net, as we saw last season, so the intention was to add in that department and I think you can see that we have created chances and found the back of the net.”

Republic FC will play its second preseason friendly of the season when it travels to San Jose to take on Northern California rival the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, Feb. 25.