Conference Semifinal | July 10, 2024
NPSL | Duluth, MN
Starting XI: Liam Pritchard, Tyler Limmer, Edu Nys, Andres Solares, Dylan Sumner, Paul Bobai, Jecsi Orellana, Jake Starling, Josh Bellamy, Myles Edmondson, Jamie Colvill
Substitutions: Jireh Oyebamiji for Limmer (‘60), Felipe Santos for Pritchard (‘76), Archie McDonnell for Bobai (‘105), Felipe Carli for Solares (‘105)
Duluth FC hosted the Minnesota Twinstars Wednesday in a crucial NPSL North Conference semifinal, which the BlueGreens won 2-0. This means Duluth will travel to play the Dakota Fusion in the conference final this coming weekend.
The night began quietly for both sides as neither scored in the first half, despite Duluth starting a strong front line of Liam Pritchard, Tyler Limmer, and Edu Nys. There were close calls but the TwinStars did not give in, all the while keeping Duluth busy as well. The wait continued in the second half, with Duluth bringing on Jireh Oyebamiji and Felipe Santos for some firepower but being held to a 0-0 draw in regulation time. The TwinStars received a red card late in the half during a brawl.
This took the game to added extra time (AET), played as two 15 minute periods. The opportunity to change the game presented itself in the eighth minute of the first period of AET after Duluth earned a penalty kick. Dylan Sumner stepped up to convert the penalty and did so with ease to make it 1-0. Duluth poured on the pain with another goal before halftime. Edu Nys made a blistering run down the left wing before assisting a goal from Felipe Santos to make it 2-0.
The night ended on a sour note with three more red cards for the TwinStars in the few remaining minutes, which meant the game ended early (24 of the 30 minutes played) due to a rule regarding the minimum number of players on the field.
