Rangers Snap Losing Streak

One Kansas City soccer team finally got themselves back into the win column. After a rough couple of weeks for all Kansas City soccer teams, the Swope Park Rangers were finally able to get a win for Kansas City tonight against the visiting Tulsa Roughnecks. The win was the Rangers second of the season over the Roughnecks, winning the previous encounter by the same 2-1 scoreline.

The first half lacked in scoring, but the Rangers had the better of play as they forced Tulsa goalkeeper Jake Feener into a number of saves to keep it scoreless. He spilled a shot off a free kick by Tomas Granitto that he really should have held, but the Rangers couldn't get on the end of the rebound to find the lead. The Rangers continued to press and Daniel Salloi forced a good save from Feener on a shot from long range to keep the game scoreless as the teams went into the half time break.

The second half saw the Roughnecks come out in a high press, trying to force a mistake from the Rangers, but Swope Park was able to break out of the high pressure with a perfect counter as Salloi played a nice through ball for Tyler Pasher. Pasher raced in on goal and lifted a chip over Feener and into the net to put the Rangers on top 1-0. The Rangers continued to press, looking to add to their lead, but the Roughnecks defense held firm keeping the Rangers from getting really clear looks. Doing so paid off for the Roughnecks as Sammy Ochoa bounced on a ball in the box after a failed clearance from the Rangers. Ochoa buried the ball past Zac Lubin and into the net to tie the game at 1-1 in the 79th minute. The tie game didn't last long though as the Rangers pushed forward again and found a second goal. This time Salloi dribbled across the top of the box before firing a shot that Feener saved but could not hold again. This time though the Rangers had Pasher following in the play and he fired the rebound past Feener and into the net to make it 2-1 to the Rangers. The Rangers continued to find space up top as the Roughnecks pushed forward but could not extend their lead. Nansel Selbol had a really good chance late on as he got played in behind the defense but took too many touches as the defense recovered and ended up having his shot saved by Feener. Later on Ezra Armstrong worked a good give and go down the left side. With space he tried to find Salloi in the middle for a tap in, but his cross was just in front of the KC forward. Late on it was Lubin in the SPR net that played hero, coming up with some good saves, none bigger than a kick save on a flicked shot by Anthony Peters after a cross by Ochoa. Lubin got a leg out in time to knock the ball away and keep the Rangers in front for the win.