RENO, Nev. – Reno 1868 FC played Seattle OSA FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night at the Starfire Sports Complex. At the end of the match, Reno claimed its first victory in the Open Cup in club history (4-3) in penalties.

Reno midfielder Junior Burgos slotted the ball to the left of OSA FC’s keeper to cement Reno’s victory in Penalty Kicks.

Reno was forced into the defensive early in the first half. OSA FC kept possession against what appeared to be a sluggish Reno side. OSA FC drew the first blood in the 14th minute when Eli Gordley used his head to find the back of the net and brought the score 1-0. Reno Retaliated in the 30th minute when forward Dembakwi Yomba slotted the ball past OSA FC’s keeper and leveled the score at 1-1.

Reno came swinging in the second half with a plethora of chances inside the box. The first minute of the second half presented Reno forward Mackenzie Pridham a chance to bring 1868 ahead but he skied the ball. OSA FC made a few counterattacks winning free kick after free kick, but none found the back of the net. In the 63rd minute, Reno had to switch up its tactics when Yomba was replaced by Antoine Hoppenot due to an Injury.

Added time in the second half saw Reno’s Cameron Vickers taken down in the box, but awarded no penalty. Reno made a defensive mistake in the final minutes of regular time when defender Brenton Griffiths made a shaky challenge providing OSA FC a free kick at the edge of the box, but the score stayed 1-1.

After an additional 30 minutes of extra time, both sides headed into Penalty Kicks.

OSA FC won the coin toss and was first to shoot in penalties. Reno Keeper Russell Klabough made a confident save to the left of the goal. Seth Casiple stepped up first for Reno and converted his penalty in a calm manner which put Reno ahead. At a critical moment, Klabough made an outstanding save with the reach of his legs against a well-placed shot into the center of the goal. In the end, Burgos converted the final penalty for Reno and brought the club to its first Open Cup victory.

Reno returns to Greater Nevada Field to play Seattle Sounders 2 on Saturday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. Reno will compete in its next Open Cup match against Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday, May 31 (location to be determined).