It was a hard fought battle at Casino Arizona Field on Saturday night.

#1 Phoenix Rising, 2-0 at home, during the postseason, hosted #8 Austin Bold in a USL Championship, Western Conference, quarterfinal playoff match which could have gone easier for Phoenix.  The last time these two teams met at C.A.F., Rising took them behind the woodshed and administered a 6-0 beating.

Not so on Saturday night.

Austin Bold played tight, aggressive defense throughout the match.  The highest fouling team in the league added another 26 fouls as well as four yellow cards in a rough and tumble affair.

After 90 minutes of regular time, eight minutes of added time, two 15 minute periods of extra time with eight minutes of  time added to the extra time, A.J. Cochran finally won the game for Phoenix, 8-7 in penalties.

Phoenix moves on to host Real Monarchs on Friday, Nov. 1, in the Western Conference semifinals at Casino Arizona Field.  Opening whistle is set for 7:30.