RENO, Nev. – Sammy Ochoa scored twice, including a second-half equalizer, as Sacramento Republic FC earned a 2-2 draw against Reno 1868 FC in front of 6,144 fans at Greater Nevada Field in the final Donner Pass Derby of the regular season on Saturday night. Sacramento had a good early chance, but Villyan Bijev skied his header off Ochoa’s cross from the right. Reno’s had a big chance to take the lead in the 13th minute when Antoine Hoppenot got in behind the defense and tried to find Brent Richards for a close-range finish, but the pass was just out of Richards’ reach. Three minutes later Sacramento took the lead as James Kiffe found space on the left and picked out Ochoa for a good headed finish. Reno tried to level in the 28th minute as Richards fired on goal from 20 yards, but his effort was saved by Republic FC goalkeeper Evan Newton. 1868 FC pressed for an equalizer with Luis Felipe Fernandes and Richards both forcing saves from Newton in the 35th minute, but six minutes before the break it arrived as Chris Wehan smuggled home a finish into the left corner after being played into the penalty area by Richards. Reno took the lead six minutes into the second half when Richards got in behind the Republic FC defense, and while Newton saved his initial effort, Hoppenot arrived in time to put away the rebound. Sacramento got back on level terms midway through the second half on Ochoa’s second of the game when the forward slid in to put away a great low cross by Wilson Kneeshaw from the right. Reno went close with 10 minutes to go as Matt LaGrassa headed just wide of the right post off a free kick by Wehan, while Kneeshaw went close for Republic FC as he cut past a defender only to shoot high inside the penalty area. Neither side found a late winner, however, ensuring there won’t immediately be a rematch when the teams kick off their bids to win the 2017 USL Cup next weekend.

Scoring:

16’ – SAC – Sammy Ochoa (James Kiffe)

41’ – RNO – Chris Wehan (Brent Richards)

51’ – RNO – Antoine Hoppenot

67’ – SAC – Sammy Ochoa (Wilson Kneeshaw)

Three Things That Matter:

1. 1868 FC came up just short of a regular-season sweep of the Donner Pass Derby with Saturday’s draw, but the side will be happy enough with its performance as it continued to create chances even in the absence once again of standout forward Dane Kelly. With a first home playoff game to look forward to next Saturday night the side will be hoping it can put more of its opportunities away when either Tulsa Roughnecks FC or OKC Energy FC visits Greater Nevada Field. Reno had enough chances to take victory, but some good saves by Republic FC goalkeeper Evan Newton proved enough to earn the visitors a point.

2. Reno knew by halftime that its bid to finish second in the Western Conference had come to an end with San Antonio FC’s victory against Rio Grande Valley FC, but the side continued to keep its foot on the pedal offensively and got it reward six minutes into the second half. After Antoine Hoppenot’s tally, though, the injury suffered by the forward soon after that saw his substitution could be an added worry for 1868 FC’s staff. With Dane Kelly missing recent games, having Hoppenot also unavailable for a potential game with either Tulsa Roughnecks FC or OKC Energy FC – even at home – would be disappointing for Reno.

3. Sacramento will finish in either seventh or eighth place in the Western Conference after Saturday’s draw, depending on the result of OKC Energy FC's clash against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Sunday evening. Sacramento will only finish seventh should Energy FC suffer a two-goal or more loss against S2, which would mean a visit to No. 2-seed San Antonio FC next Saturday night. Should OKC earn a result, though, a trip to face No. 1-seed Real Monarchs SLC next Friday night at Rio Tinto Stadium will be Sacramento's fate. While the side was unable to take victory, which could have left it in sixth position after the weekend's results, Republic FC will have been enthused first by Sammy Ochoa’s pair of goals, but also the sharpness Wilson Kneeshaw showed after coming on as a substitute. Coming off an absence due to injury, the English forward may provide the spark Sacramento needs if it's to produce a big road upset.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Sammy Ochoa, Sacramento Republic FC – Ochoa scored both goals for the visitors and was active in and around the penalty area, setting up another scoring chance early in the contest.