Review-Journal reporter Ben Gotz talks about the Lights FC’s season-opening win at Fresno FC and looks ahead to the team’s home opener Saturday against Reno 1868 FC.
Ben Gotz
Assistant Sports Editor
Email: bgotz@reviewjournal.com
X: @BenSGotz
Ben Gotz was named assistant sports editor in November 2023. He previously covered the Vegas Golden Knights. Ben came to the Review-Journal in May 2016 after graduating from the University of Minnesota. Before coming to Las Vegas, he wrote about college hockey, college football and high school sports during stops at the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and Minnesota Daily back home in Minnesota.
The Lights FC continued to make moves ahead of its home opener Saturday, launching a mobile app and announcing the start of its Pink Scarf Initiative on Thursday.
The Las Vegas midfielder earned a spot on the United Soccer League’s Team of the Week after scoring a goal Saturday against Fresno FC.
The Las Vegan scored 70 seconds into the team’s first game Saturday at Fresno FC, setting a United Soccer League record for the fastest goal by an expansion team.
The Lights won their inaugural game 3-2 at Fresno FC on Saturday behind goals from Matt Thomas, Alex Mendoza and Joel Huiqui.
The Lights will open their United Soccer League regular season at 7 p.m. Saturday at Fresno FC.
Review-Journal reporter Ben Gotz talks to Lights FC goalkeeper Angel Alvarez about the end of the preseason
The Lights will bring 23 players into their first inaugural season, which begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at Fresno FC.
The two teams will meet three times during the regular season, starting with the Lights home opener on March 24 at Cashman Field.
Lights midfielder Julian Portugal revealed the team’s away kit by wearing body paint at the club’s season kickoff party on Wednesday at the Plaza.
Senior guard Zach Lofton scored a game-high 23 points in New Mexico State’s 72-58 win over Grand Canyon on Saturday night at Orleans Arena.
The Redhawks defeated Cal State Bakersfield 57-54 on Saturday at Orleans Arena to win the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament.
The Lights earned a 1-1 draw against Orange County SC in their fourth and final preseason game Friday in Irvine, California, in their first match against a fellow United Soccer League club.
Review-Journal reporter Ben Gotz talks about the Lights final preseason game and how the team is building chemistry in camp.
The Lights will get their first look at a fellow United Soccer League club at 11 a.m. Friday.