Recap: River Light 1, St. Croix 1

River Light FC (1-0-2) took their first road trip to Minnesota (0-1-1) and came back with a stalemate as they crossed paths with the St. Croix Legends for the first time. 

After equalizing in the 89th against Minneapolis City SC, the Lights looked to conjure up more magic in Minnesota. While St. Croix got their first taste of the Heartland Division in the form of a 2-1 defeat against fellow Sueno FC. 

A late game penalty snatched River Lights hopes of gaining their second win of the season, while St. Croix found a way to gain their first point of the season. 

Just ten minutes into the match the Lights had their first warning shot as Darien Martin drove from the left flank and crossed to Kosty Domaratskyy who waited, smashing the ball into the crossbar and sending the Legends into a frenzy. 

Not even two minutes later, Domaratskyy recovered a loose ball in St. Croix territory and fired a blast from outside the box, making the posts shake once again.  

With the Legends becoming more aggressive up front, River Light used their speed on the flanks to find Jacob Ryu who pushed a shot through and earned a penalty from a hand in the box.

Taking the spot, Vaughan Osga picked his side and sent a low powerful shot past the St. Croix keeper for the first goal of the match. 

Close to the end of the first half, goalkeeper Saed Anabtawi had to intervene on a corner kick that passed a little too close to his goal, extending and punching the ball away from the hungry eyes of St. Croix. 

After the break, St. Croix satisfied their hunger with an equalizer just six minutes back from the locker room. 

A defensive battle locked in the midfield forced River Light to play from the back, which worked in their favor as defender Justin Darlage launched a missile up field to find Preston Huitron waiting on the edge of the defense, receiving and sliding a low effortless shot past St. Croix to regain the advantage. 

Anabtawi made his presence known again in the second half as the Lights keeper kept a close range effort from reaching the back of the net. Unfortunately for River Light, a penalty was awarded to St Croix and converted for the 2-2 draw. 

Catch River Light at Spartan Athletic Complex this Sunday for a double header as both teams take on Rochester (1-0).