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USASA: Southie Advances to Region I Semis on PKs

Photo credit: Southie FC

Photo credit: Southie FC

In a wild match that wasn’t tamed until penalties were employed, a resilient Southie FC overcame a pair of two-goal deficits to edge Trenton Rebels 4-4 (6-5 on PKs), securing a spot in the Region I semifinals of the National Amateur Cup tournament at Notre Dame High School in Trenton, N.J. on Sunday.

After falling into an early two-goal deficit courtesy of Rebel strikes from Derek Shinn and Justin Ward, the Boys in Neon bounced back with two unanswered strikes from Tim Ritter (35th minute) and Brian Grissell (40th minute) to bring it back to level terms at the break.

The match went into extra time tied at two apiece before the Rebels reclaimed their two-goal lead from an extra-time Mohamed Sesay brace. But Southie responded, first with a goal from Eric Owens in the 105th minute before Roy Sandeman sent the match to penalties when he scored right at the 120th minute.

When 120 minutes wasn’t enough to decide a victory, the quarterfinal went to penalties, where Southie was able to overtake their hosts 6-5.

Sunday’s win sends Southie to a Region I semifinal date with Lansdowne Bhoys FC in Yonkers, N.Y. on May 1.

The winner will advance to Region I final on Jun. 19 and will face the winner of the Phoenix Majors (Eastern Pa.) and Christos FC (Md.) semifinal.

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