A Late Quails Goal Lifts Temecula FC to a 2-1 Win over ASC San Diego

By Temecula FC

Chaparral was loud as Temecula FC took on ASC San Diego.  A pivotal game in the National Premier Soccer League playoff race, Temecula needed to win to remain in the running, especially since San Diego was ahead on points going into the match.  Temecula does have a game in hand, but with only four games remaining a lot must go the Quails’ way.

It wasn’t an easy start for Temecula and it took a couple saves by Brent Reis to keep the game scoreless in the first half.  Temecula’s Nate DeRosa did come close in the 43 minute but saw his shot hit off the outside of the post and go out for a goal kick.

Things began to heat up in the second half with San Diego being awarded a penalty kick in the 53rd  minute. Christian Enriquez converted the spot kick to give San Diego the go-ahead goal and put them completely in control.  They had possession and were solidly keeping that possession in the attacking third. Temecula tried to keep up but just kept falling short as San Diego looked sharper and fitter.  That all changed two minutes later when Temecula FC’s leading goal scorer Tarek Nazzal hit a screamer from 35 yards out into the upper corner to level off the score at 1-1.

Temecula stayed in control from that point on but they just struggling to find the second goal. DeRosa got behind the San Diego defense a few more times but was unable to hit the target.  By the 80th minute, it became a game where both teams were getting tired and the game was getting stretched. It seemed inevitable a goal was coming. San Diego tried to hold on with a bit of defending but thanks to an Angel Mora corner, Temecula got the winning goal in the 88th minute by none other than Nazzal. Temecula FC will be back in action Saturday, June 8th at Chaparral versus Orange County FC. Tickets are available at www.temeculafc.com.

Photo Credit: Doug Yoder/By Design Images