Shane Malcolm rewarded those that stayed until the end of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s first home sellout Saturday night against Fresno FC at Weidner Field.

An uneventful draw looked inevitable after 80 minutes.

“The teams lined up pretty similar. We kinda cancelled each other out. Both teams had chances in the first and second half,” Malcolm said. “As the game (went) on, it looked like a 0-0 slugfest, and we were like ‘We have to find one. We have to find one.’”

After Jordan Burt was fouled roughly 30 yards from goal, Malcolm, captain Josh Suggs and defender Jamal Jack took a minute to discuss the possibilities.

“We were waiting to see where the ball was going to be positioned and what side the goalie was going to be on because the free kick was pretty central,” Malcolm said.

The setup didn’t agree with the left-footed Suggs, and Malcolm said Jack passed at a shot.

The Guam international took his opportunity, getting the ball over the wall before dipping into the right side of goal for the winner.

“If he felt it, he stepped up and did it,” Coach Steve Trittschuh said. “Good for him.”

Fresno’s best look at goal came in the opening half when a Fox forward skied a shot from inside the six-yard box. It was part of a defensive effort that left the Switchbacks coach looking for more despite a clean sheet for goalkeeper Steward Ceus and the defense.

“I thought we were giving them too much space, and we weren’t connected as a unit,” Trittschuh said.

Fresno failed to put any of its 15 shots on target, while the hosts put one of eight on frame.

Malcolm’s second goal in United Soccer League play this season was a rarity for the club.

“There’s not many in the four years we’ve scored directly,” Trittschuh said. “That’s a big one for us.”

The win marked just the second time this season the club has won back-to-back league games. The Switchbacks will hope to make it three straight with they continue a homestand against San Antonio FC next Saturday.

“Hopefully we can continue this and get a streak going,” Malcolm said.

“It’s all just energy, communication and the group staying together.”