With their playoff hopes on the line against the defending Southwest Division champions, Redlands FC stepped up and earned a huge 3 points by defeating FC Tucson 2-0.
The first ten minutes showed why Tucson was at the top of the table, as they dominated possession and sent in some dangerous chances that they just couldn’t find the final answer for.
Redlands FC quickly settled in though, and began to build their attack. In the 33rd minute, Redlands worked quickly off a resumption of play from injury and Enzo Mauriz found the back of the net for the first goal of the game to put Redlands up 1-0.
Redlands had been in this situation, up early, in the previous two games but had allowed the opposition to even the match shortly after. This time though they took the lead into the halftime locker room.
Tucson once again started a half on the right foot, establishing control over possession but yet again could not find the finishing touch. Then, halfway through the second half, Redlands subbed in their star striker Luka Lukic, and the game shifted.
Just about 10 minutes into his time in the game, Lukic took advantage of a Tucson turnover and lightly tapped one past the keeper for a goal to make it 2-0 Redlands. The Serbian star currently attending UC Riverside had done it again and produced in a big moment.
The goal acted as a dagger to Tucson’s heart, as their attack continued to fail to produce a goal, and the final whistle blew with Redlands taking down the first place team in the division.
The win moves Redlands into second in the Southwest Division based on total points, and fourth based on points per game, less than .10 points from being second place in that department too.
They’ll have a chance to jump up in the standings again on June 27th when they host the team now in first place in the division, the Ventura County Fusion. Purchase tickets for the monumental match at https://www.redlandsfootballclub.com/tickets.
Caden Henderson has been a journalist since he was five. He has interviewed athletes like Mike Trout. Caden is pursuing a degree at the University of Redlands. He is also the voice of Redlands FC.
