Energy FC Falls to LA Galaxy II in USL Western Conference Finals

Ariel Lassiter scored his USL-leading third goal of the playoffs and Andre Auras tallied the game-winner as LA Galaxy II downed OKC Energy FC 2-1 in the USL Western Conference Finals in front of an OKC franchise record 7,654 in attendance at Taft Stadium Sunday night.

With the win, LA Galaxy II secured the USL Western Conference championship and moves on to face the Rochester Rhinos in the USL Finals.

For a second consecutive match, OKC had to play from behind after surrendering an early goal. In the 6th minute, a free kick by Auras from about 40 yards out deflected off OKC's Cyprian Hedrick and caromed to Lassiter a yard shy of the Energy FC net, where Lassiter tipped home the match's opening score.

OKC fell two goals behind in the 23rd minute, when Auras took another free kick, this time from about 25 yards out, and sent a shot into the upper left corner of the OKC net, past diving Energy FC keeper Evan Newton. 

In the 65th minute, OKC closed the gap to a single goal, when Sebastian Dalgaard booted a corner kick that Coady Andrews headed past Glaxy II keeper Clement Diop. Andrews's goal was the first surrendered by LA in three playoff matches.

Energy FC's season comes to a close after a franchise-best record of 13-7-8, the second-best record in the USL's Western Conference, and the franchise's first playoffs run, winning a second-round match against Colorado Springs on Oct. 4. OKC also recorded three sellouts in its final four games at Taft Stadium.