UPDATE: Video of FC Hasental goals added below.
First-time US Open Cup entry FC Hasental of the National Premier Soccer League posted an impressive result in their debut, registering a 5-2 victory at Chukchansi Park in Fresno Tuesday night against the Fuego, who were 13-3-2 at home in league play the last two years.
And the visitors had to come from behind as well to do it. The Fuego took the initial advantage three minutes into the contest when they capitalized on a defensive error that resulted in Alexander Caceres finding Paul Islas for the opening goal.
Unfortunately for the Fuego, FC Hasental would score four straight goals and five total to set up a first round match-up with Ventura County Fusion next Tuesday at Ventura College.
The 1-0 margin stood until Gustavo Villalobos nailed a volley past Gilbert Vega in the 29th minute off a ball from Joel Contreras.
The visitors nearly took the lead in the first minute of the second half when Alberto Anguiano sent a chip off the crossbar, but the Agoura Hills side would find the go-ahead strike four minutes later when Armando Gaitan struck on a 20 yard free kick.
It was the first of three consecutive for Hasental. Manny Cazares found Villalobos for his second on the hour mark and seven minutes later set up Anguiano to make it 4-1 in favor of the NPSL entry.
Fresno answered through Abraham Campos in the 75th, but saw the visitors answer right back three minutes later through Anguiano to restore the three-goal margin. Ferid Celosmanovic capped the match for Fresno with a tally in the 90th minute.
FC Hasental advances to the First Round of the tournament where they will play the Ventura County Fusion of the PDL on May 14 at Ventura College.
Scoring Summary
FRE: Paul Islas (Alexander Caceres) – 3rd min
HAS: Gustavo Villalobos (Joel Contreras) – 29th min
HAS: Armando Gaitan – 50th min
HAS: Gustavo Villalobos (Manny Cazares) – 60th min
HAS: Alberto Anguiano (Manny Cazares) – 67th min
FRE: Abraham Campos – 75th min
HAS: Alberto Anguiano – 78th min
FRE: Ferid Celosmanovic – 90th min
Discipline
HAS: Gustavo Villalobos 45, Kleber Ortiz 62
FRE: N/A #20 55, Gaston Cignetti 66
Starting Lineups
FC Hasental : Mitchell, Rodriguez, Ortiz, Ramos, Contreras, Rosas, Cazarez, Gaitan, Villalobos, Anguiano, Cazares
Fresno Fuego: Gilbert Vega; Jesus Garcia, M. Gutierrez, Justin Finch, Trevor Spurgeon; Abraham Campos, Gaston Cignetti, Alexander Caceres; Tyler Reinhart, Paul Islas, Eligio Morales
FC HASENTAL GOALS IN ORDER:
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