EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC (West-6, 3-3-1, 10 points) extended its undefeated streak in the USL Championship to four games on Saturday night with a 2-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Southwest University Park.
“It wasn’t pretty but good teams win games like this,” Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut said. “Our group is grinding and it’s not a coincidence that we are getting clean sheets now. The team is united and there is strong belief in how we defend. I give big credit to our group.”
An even contest for most of the first half, Locomotive midfielder Petar Petrovic would break the deadlock in the 39th minute, controlling a deep cross from midfielder Denys Kostyshyn and tapping it in past the goalkeeper to give El Paso the lead.
Forward Luis “Lucho” Solignac would capitalize on a goalkeeping error to double Locomotive’s lead in front of an open net at the 69’. Solignac has now scored in three consecutive USL Championship contests, with his goal tonight seeing him become Locomotive’s all-time leading goal scorer with 30 goals to his name.
“Strikers play football for this, not going to lie,” Solignac said with a chuckle. “But this is a team sport and my teammates helped me become the all-time leading goal scorer, so I want to thank them. One takes advantage of errors and [the Pittsburgh error] worked out in favor, so I’m happy.”
FORECAST: 79ºF, Clear skies
TEAM NOTES
- Lucho is now Locomotive’s all-time leading goal scorer in all competitions with 30 goals.
- Locomotive is now undefeated in four matches (3W, 1D) and has scored 10 goals across its last six USL Championship matches.
- Lucho has extended his lead as the club’s top goal scorer this season, scoring four so far.
- Petrovic scored his second goal of the season, his first at Southwest University Park.
- Kostyshyn and defender Marc Navarro recorded their first ever assists with Locomotive.
SCORING SUMMARY
- ELP 1 – Petar Petrovic (Denys Kostyshyn) 39’
- ELP 2 – Luis Solignac (Marc Navarro) 69’
LINEUPS
ELP – Benny Diaz, Bence Pavkovics, Yuma – C, Eder Borelli (Nick Hinds), Miles Lyons, Eric Calvillo, Liam Rose, Petar Petrovic (Marc Navarro), Denys Kostyshyn (Louis Herrera), Luis Solignac, Ricardo Zacarias (Aaron Gomez)
Subs Not Used: Erik McCue, Emmanuel Sonupe, Javier Garcia
PIT – Jahmali Waite, Pat Hogan (DZ Harmon, Burke Fahling), Joe Farrell, Arturo Ordoñez, Nate Dossantos (Langston Blackstock), Luke Biasi (Trevor Zwestloot), Kenardo Forbes, Robbie Mertz, Marc Ybarra, Edward Kizza (Tola Showunmi), Albert Dikwa
Subs Not Used: Christian Garner, Michael DeShields
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
- ELP – Denys Kostyshyn (Yellow Card) 80’, Eric Calvillo (Yellow Card) 86’, Louis Herrera (Yellow Card) 90+4’
- PIT – Luke Biasi (Yellow Card) 11’, DZ Harmon (Yellow Card) 64’, Joe Farrell (Yellow Card) 67’, Arturo Ordoñez (Yellow Card) 90+2’
UP NEXT: Saturday, April 29 at San Diego Loyal SC. Kickoff 8 p.m. MT at Torero Stadium. Locomotive make their way to SoCal as they seek out their first ever win against San Diego Loyal SC. El Paso Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut is set to be reunited with Loyal’s Ronaldo Damus and Joe Corona, players under his leadership in Sweden at GIF Sundsvall.
ON THE HORIZON: Friday, May 5 at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Kickoff 7 p.m. MT at Weidner Field. Locomotive have never lost a match at Weidner Field and will look to get one back on the Switchbacks after suffering a heart-breaking defeat at home earlier this season.