PHOENIX – Throughout the club’s shutout streak over the month of June, Phoenix Rising FC goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski had been well-protected by a defense that had required the veteran to record only seven saves in four games.

“I kinda tweeted at USL a couple weeks ago, trying to get our defenders some love for Team of the Week, because of two, three, four, now five shutouts in a row and they don’t get any love,” said Woszczyski after his side’s clash with Orange County SC on Friday night.

Facing Orange County, though, it was the 30-year-old who stepped into the spotlight.

Woszczynski posted an individual season-high with seven saves as Rising FC took a 1-0 victory before a sellout crowd of 7,001 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex to maintain its position in second place in the Western Conference despite playing the final 55 minutes down to 10 men against a fellow playoff contender. The display recorded a fifth consecutive shutout for the side, and extended its overall shutout streak to a club-record 466 minutes.

“It was my turn to do my part to help them out,” said Woszczynski. “It’s a tough one. A lot of organization. Like you said, going down a man in the first half is tough, knowing you’re going to battle a good team that’s chasing you to catch you in second place. A lot of organization, talking to the guys, keeping the guys motivated. You get tired out here obviously, chasing more area than they’re used to. Just keeping the guys going and being positive.”

Phoenix had taken the lead in just the 13th minute against fifth-placed Orange County as Chris Cortez scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season with an excellent sliding half-volley that slotted home an angled cross by Jamaican international Kevon Lambert into the left side of the penalty area. Cortez’s goal was his 40th in the USL regular season of his career, which began with Orange County in 2013 when he recorded an individual single-season high of nine tallies.

Cortez almost added a second eight minutes later when his clever flicked piece of control at the edge of the penalty area allowed him to volley into the left corner of the net, only for the offside flag to be raised, but emerging with a hard-fought victory was more important to Cortez than individual accolades.

“To be honest for me, it’s much more about us beating Orange County,” he said. “Whether I score 20 goals or two goals, I don’t care. I’d rather us win the league and I’d rather win the game tonight. That to me is much more important than anything else.”

While Phoenix took the early lead, the game tilted in Orange County’s favor 10 minutes before the halftime break when Kody Wakasa was shown a red card for bringing down OCSC forward Michael Seaton as he broke in on goal, denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Woszczynski made his first save of the night on the ensuing free kick sent toward the right side of the net by Orange County’s Aodhan Quinn, and alongside his defense took center stage from then on.

Holding midfielder James Musa helped serve as a shield for the hosts, winning six of eight duels, while center back Joe Farrell had three tackles and three interceptions as Rising FC tried to keep the league’s co-leading scorer Thomas Enevoldsen in check, but when the Danish forward found space in the 66th minute Woszczynski was quickly off his line to smother the chance. Orange County’s pressure continued to build as the second half wore on, to such an extent that Phoenix twice had the chance to add an insurance goal on the counterattack, but Woszczynski’s four saves in the final 10 minutes and stoppage time helped secure an important three points.

“It’s all about character,” said Rising FC Head Coach Rick Schantz. “This is why kids play football and they play sports because they have a commitment to one another, loyal, desire. These are all the qualities that these young men have. That’s why they’re pros. I’m really proud of them. Great job on Carl, he made three saves. You know a clean sheet month. They’re going to love June for now on.”

With one week’s break before the team returns to action on July 14 with a visit to Fresno FC, Rising FC’s players can now get a mental break after what has been the club’s best run of the season so far.

“It’s incredible,” said Woszczynski. “I think a lot of bodies need a break. We’ve had a string of games the past six, seven weeks. So, glad we’ll take a break, recover, recuperate, and we’ll be ready to get back to work.”