Regional Final | July 20, 2024
NPSL | Pittsburgh, PA
Starting XI: Liam Pritchard, Jireh Oyebamiji, Edu Nys, Andres Solares, Dylan Sumner, Paul Bobai, Myles Edmondson, Jake Starling, Jecsi Orellana, Josh Bellamy, Jamie Colvill
Substitutions: Rory Doyle for Bobai (‘53), Tyler Limmer for Oyebamiji (‘57), Felipe Santos for Sumner (‘75), Felipe Carli for Nys (‘87), Archie McDonnell for Edmondson (‘96), Manny Morales for Pritchard (‘114)
Duluth FC made history last week by beating Steel City 3-2 in Pittsburgh to clinch the NPSL Midwest Regional championship.
Duluth got to scoring quickly, finding a 1-0 lead through Liam Pritchard after just eight minutes. Steel City draw level before halftime despite strong work from goalkeeper and former Northland College player Jamie Colvill and it sat at 1-1 at halftime.
Duluth made several offensive changes early in the second half, bringing on Tyler Limmer and Felipe Santos alongside Rory Doyle. The changes paid off in the 81st minute when Santos floated an inspired shot into the back of the net to retake the lead. There was, however, late drama. Steel City scored a second goal and Doyle received a red card to leave Duluth tied and down a man.
The winner was decided in added extra time, with Lake Superior College alum Felipe Carli Oliveira scoring the winner after collecting a deflected shot and redirecting the ball on target. Duluth had to hold out for 20 more minutes of play, but it was all worth it as the BlueGreens secured a 3-2 win to become 2024 NPSL Midwest Region champions. It is the club’s second-ever edition of that title and marks the club’s first-ever NPSL double. Duluth have also become the first team to win both trophies in one year.
Duluth will continue its playoff run by traveling to play El Farolito in San Francisco in the national semifinal on July 27.
