Contributed by Steven Torres
New York Cosmos B captured the NPSL’s (National Premier Soccer League) North Atlantic Conference crown by defeating visiting Brooklyn Italians SC, 5:3, on penalty kicks, after a 1:1 tie in the playoff final on Saturday evening at Columbia University’s Rocco B. Commisso Stadium.
After a scoreless first half, Brooklyn Italians took in the 68th minute with a goal from forward James Thristino. Cosmos B got the equalizer seven minutes later off a tally by forward Zaire Bartley.
Cosmos B played the remainder of the match with 10 men after midfielder Rafael Garcia was sent off in the 77th minute-mark.
Both sides had chances to score the game-winner in the closing minutes of the match prior to the overtime periods. U.S. international midfielder Danny Szetela’s 20-yard shot at the 86th minute was saved by the Brooklyn goalkeeper Michael Bernardi. Meanwhile, forward Shavon John Brown had a one-on-one with Cosmos B’s goalkeeper Kevin Tenjo in the 90th minute-mark, but his shot was also saved.
After another 30 minutes of intense scoreless match, penalty kicks would then decide the winner of the NPSL’s North Atlantic Conference Final.
The score was leveled following three rounds of penalties, when Honduran forward Darwin Espinal gave the Cosmos B the lead 4:3 after his shot was successful. Midfielder Thomas Suchecki’s 12-yard attempt for Brooklyn was saved by Tenjo. That allowed defender Jonathan Borrajo notched fifth penalty kick to clinch the victory for the hosts.
Cosmos B now move onto the NPSL Northeast Region Semifinal and will hosts FC Frederick of Mid-Atlantic Conference at Hofstra University Soccer Stadium on Wednesday, July 18th at 7:30 pm ET.
NPSL’s North Atlantic Conference Final
07.14.2018: New York, N.Y.; Columbia University’s Rocco B. Commisso Stadium (A: 185)
NEW YORK COSMOS B – BROOKLYN ITALIANS SC 1:1 (0:0) (1:1), 5:3 pks
Zaire Bartley 75’ – James THRISTINO 68’
Alexis VELELA (G), John NEESKENS (G), Zaire BARTLEY (G), Darwin ESPINAL (G), Jonathan BORRAJO (G) – Simen OLAFSEN (G), Mattia CELLA (G), Clement BOURRET (G), Thomas SUCHECKI (SV)
NY Cosmos B: Kevin Tenjo – Jonathan Borrajo, Alejandro Penzini, John Neeskens (91: Alexis Velela), Rafael Garcia, Wojceich Wojcik (101: Reece Dalton), Danny Szetela, Garrett Halfhill, Joseph Sanchez (81: Ryan Adeleye), Travis Pittsman (46: Zaire Bartley), Jalen Brown (66: Darwin Espinal). Booked: Garcia 33’, Szetela 52’, Bartley 84’, Sent offs: Garcia 77’
Coach: Carlos Mendes
Brooklyn Italians SC: Michael Bernardi – Dominck Falanga (90: Oliver Bennet), Simen Olafsen, Faouzi Taieb, Clement Bourret, Anthony Gimenes, James Thristino (74: Shavon John Brown), Casey Barone (90: Louis Yuill), Vittorio Argeri (99: Giuseppe Barone), Mattia Cella, Thomas Suchecki. Booked: Argeri 57’, Bourret 65’, Olafsen 77’
Coach: Dominic Casciato
Written by Steven Torres