NPSL North Playoff Semi Finals

Wednesday

(#= Conference seeding/National ranking)

#1/6 Dakota Fusion 2-1 #4/38 Joy Athletic Club

Fusion v Joy is the league’s stingiest defense against the joint Golden Boot winner Philip Caputo.

It took Joy Athletic 20 mins to register a chance, in a first 40 minutes dominated by the home side. Nonetheless, it was Joy’s Zinedine Kroeten who put the visitors ahead with the first of two penalty kicks this evening. The lead lasted barely a minute, as Takumi Sato headed in a left wing corner in the 41st minute. 

The second half was much more even, but Ryosuke Miyata made the decisive blow, a smooth, sliding finish from a right wing cross in the 83rd minute. In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Fusion goalie Vincent Sanchis nearly conceded again after a header back to him went over his head and he palmed it away.

Fusion Men’s Head Coach Alex Trent talked to us after the game:

Playoffs always bring a new challenge. Our guys showed great resilience, which I’m really proud of. We know Duluth will give us their best and we are looking forward to another good matchup with a trophy on the line.

#2/31 Duluth FC 2-0 #3/39 Minnesota TwinStars (Game halted because of red cards)

Duluth FC v TwinStars went into extra time tied at 0-0, with TwinStars down to ten men following a melee in the 90th minute. Dylan Sumner broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 98th minute.  Felipe Santos made it 2-0 in the 105th minute before a fifth red card for the visitors triggered a forfeit in the 115th minute.

Coming Up:

Dakota Fusion FC v Duluth FC  Saturday at 7pm.