NPSL Regional Semi-Finals & Final Recap
Muskegon roll past Duluth and then finish off Cleveland in a much closer game.
Regional Semi-Finals, Friday — Oakridge’s Russell A. Erickson Stadium, Muskegon, MI
#1 Muskegon Risers 5 v 2 #4 Duluth FC
Duluth stormed out to a lead as ugly defending opened the door for Sam Thornton with barely 2 minutes on the clock. Muskegon’s debutant goalkeeper Daniel Morgan then gave up a horrendous goal in the tenth minute as Wynand Wessels chipped him from fully 40 yards out on a free kick. At that point, it seemed like the Risers had an uphill battle, but they kept attacking and one such attack resulted in a PK in the 16th minute, for Vitalis Takawira Jr to slot home and halve the deficit. The equalizer came in the 43rd minute. Brendan Dally, in goal for the BlueGreens, had a mixed game — including a spectacular save, diving at full stretch to tip a shot over the bar, but also being responsible for the Risers’ go ahead goal in the 53rd minute. Dally was caught in between decisions on the edge of his box and unable to backpedal when the ball was played across him. Takawira Jr claimed his hat trick in the 59th minute, slotting home past Dally. He made it four for his personal tally and five for the Risers in the 64th minute, before retiring hurt in the 72nd minute. Duluth FC had a strong period of possession in promising positions but were unable to trouble the Risers keeper any more.
#2 Med City FC 0 v 2 #3 Cleveland SC
Cleveland SC took a 17th minute lead, after a pass along the 6 yard box by Chris Brennan was tapped home by a Med City defender. Their lead was doubled from a Brennan corner, finished at close range by Alec Nagucki. Iker González in goal for the Rochester club had a very good game, but the best he could do was limit the damage from CSC — as the newly-crowned North conference champions fall to their counterparts from the Rust Belt conference.
The Regional Final — Oakridge’s Russell A. Erickson Stadium, Muskegon, MI
#1 Muskegon Risers 1 v 0 #3 Cleveland SC
Both teams had good chances and it was evenly contested, with Muskegon showing some good scrambling defense and misfortune at the offensive end, although the closest the game came to a goal was when the crossbar was rattled in the 75th minute. The Risers put together a sustained period of pressure in the last 3 minutes and struck with a bullet header from Alec Belcastro off a right wing cross, just as the clock turned to 90. Cleveland finished with 9 men after their frustration boiled over.
Upcoming Schedule:
National Semifinals — Saturday: Each game hosted by higher seed
#1 Muskegon Risers v #4 Crossfire Richmond
#2 Tulsa Athletic v #3 FC Motown
2022 NPSL National Championship — August 6: Hosted by higher seed
We will be back with coverage of those matches, here and on Twitter
