The Colorado Springs Switchbacks’ first meeting with Las Vegas Lights was a wild 1-0 win for the hosts at Weidner Field on May 11, and coach Steve Trittschuh expects more of the same when his team makes its Vegas debut at 9 p.m. Saturday.

The May 11 contest featured physical, open play with more action than Luke Vercollone’s lone goal suggests. Winger Shane Malcolm said afterward the game reminded him of men’s league action.

In their first season, the Lights have already established a reputation for taking it to another level at Cashman Field.

“What I hear from other coaches, they say it’s just ridiculous there,” Trittschuh said after Saturday’s win over Saint Louis FC. “Hopefully we’ll get a referee that can control the game and control their antics. It’s going to be actually kinda fun to go there. I think the guys are looking forward to it.”

The Lights added attacking midfielders Raul Mendiola and Zach Mathers ahead of the match following three consecutive league losses dating back to their trip to Colorado Springs. Las Vegas will return home after losing 7-2 at LA Galaxy II a week ago.

The Switchbacks will enter having lost three consecutive league games on the road.

“We have to stay focused on what we have to do and battle,” Trittschuh said.

“It’s going to be a battle on that field because it’s smaller.”

The Lights will look to add to their 10 points through as many games, while the Switchbacks sit seventh in the Western Conference with 17 points through 13 contests.

Vercollone, who has a team-high four goals, would take another game like the first.

“It was crazy,” he said after the first game with Las Vegas. “It was a wide-open game, very chippy, very intense and a lot of fun.”