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Thiaw Lifts 1868 FC Past San Antonio

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/27/18, 12:48AM EDT

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Notched game-winning goal, assist in 2-1 victory at Greater Nevada Field


Photo courtesy Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. / Reno 1868 FC

RENO, Nev. – Reno 1868 FC got a goal and assist from Mo Thiaw as it took a 2-1 victory against San Antonio FC on Saturday night at Greater Nevada Field to extend its undefeated streak to eight games. San Antonio twice threatened inside the opening 10 minutes as Jose Escalante was twice denied by Reno goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski, while the visitors also hit the crossbar in the 25th minute through Sonny Guadaramma. Reno hit the woodwork as well when Paul Marie struck the left post with a low shot in the 29th minute, but the hosts took the lead six minutes before halftime, however, as Mo Thiaw played in Jerry van Ewijk for a first-time finish from the right side of the penalty area that picked out the left corner of the net. San Antonio responded two minutes into the second half when Omar Gordon curled home a corner kick from the right with the outside of his right boot and in at the near post. 1868 FC regained the lead just past the hour-mark as a free kick by Van Ewijk deflected off a defender, forcing a save from SAFC goalkeeper Diego Restrepo, but Thiaw was in the right place to head home the rebound to put the hosts back ahead. San Antonio’s Alex Bruce hit the crossbar with 25 minutes to go with a header from close range, while Gordon had a low shot saved by Marcinkowski in the 80th minute, but the hosts held firm to continue their move up the Western Conference standings.

Scoring:
39’ – RNO – Jerry van Ewijk (Mo Thiaw)
47’ – SA – Omar Gordon
61’ – RNO – Mo Thiaw

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Reno continued an undefeated streak that now began more than a month ago, and in the process moved into the playoff positions in the Western Conference at the expense of a side that it was battling for position in the middle of the pack in the conference standings. With four wins and four draws since a 2-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on April 21, 1868 FC is now starting to resemble the side that overcame a slow start to contend in the Western Conference a season ago as its pieces start to fit together nicely.

  • 2. Both Mo Thiaw and Jerry van Ewijk both continued their strong recent runs of form, with Thiaw having now recorded two goals and two assists in the past three games for 1868 FC and Van Ewijk having found the net in back-to-back contests. The two linked up for the opening goal of the game as the Dutch forward was cleverly found by Thiaw’s slipped pass through the San Antonio back line, and with former PDL standout Paul Marie also getting involved well for Reno’s attack the new additions to the squad appear to be clicking nicely.

  • 3. San Antonio arguably had enough chances to take something from Saturday’s game, but the visitor’s usually airtight defense once again had a tough time of it at Greater Nevada Field as it conceded 19 shots overall and seven shots on goal, a regular season-high for the side. With the rigors of the club’s midweek Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup victory in a penalty shootout in the background the trip to the west coast was definitely a tricky one, but SAFC will want a strong response next week against a strong Portland Timbers 2 side back on home turf.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Mo Thiaw, Reno 1868 FC – Thiaw produced the game-winning goal after setting up Jerry van Ewijk for the opener to lead 1868 FC to a very valuable three points on home turf.

Upcoming Games:

Reno 1868 FC at OKC Energy FC – June 2, 8:30 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium

San Antonio FC vs. Portland Timbers 2 – June 2, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field

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