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Four remain in Region I tournament
Danbury United, Aegean Hawks remain on course for return to the Cup
Danbury United and Aegean Hawks FC, the 2007 US Open Cup qualifiers from Region I of the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA), stayed on track for berths in this year’s competition with wins on Sunday. They are joined in the Region I semifinals by the New York Pancyprians and Boston Olympiakos.
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"Win & You’re In"
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NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
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Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA)
May 18th - Time/Location TBD
Boston Olympiakos (MA)
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Danbury United (CT)
May 18th - Time/Location TBD
USASA Region I Qualifying
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In Buffalo, a penalty kick goal by Mauro Costa and an insurance tally in second-half stoppage time propelled Danbury United to a 2-0 victory over Queen City FC, the defending Eastern Conference champion of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The referee was busy in this match, booking two Danbury players for rough challenges in the first 20 minutes before sending off another for a studs-up challenge on Queen City back Chris Lofgren in the 21st minute. Despite holding a 23-6 advantage in shots, Queen City could not find the goal and are eliminated at the quarterfinal stage for the second year in a row.
In Gaithersburg, MD, first-half goals from Justin Bodiya and Anders Kelto and a penalty-kick save by Nick Carlin-Voigt on the death of the match allowed Aegean Hawks FC to advance with a 3-2 win over Baltimore Colts FC, champions of the Maryland qualifying competition. It was the first-ever meeting between the Mid-Atlantic powers.
After getting out to a 2-0 halftime lead, the Hawks were caught on the counterattack twice by Baltimore to bring the match level after 65 minutes. With overtime looming, a penalty kick was awarded to the Hawks, with Carlos Garcia putting them back ahead with what would be the winning score. However, with time still left in the match, the Colts were awarded their own penalty kick just a minute later. With a Colts equalizer staring him in the face, Hawks’ goalkeeper Nick Carlin-Voigt saved the victory with a dramatic stop, sending the Hawks to the Group S final.
The Aegean Hawks will host the Pancyprians after they moved on to the semifinals with a 3-1 win over the United German Hungarians from the Philadelphia area.
Boston Olympiakos advanced with no trouble when the New Jersey representative, SC Vistula Garfield, forfeited when they were unable to dress enough players due to injuries. In a sporting move, the club did notify Olympiakos, and the referees, in advance, saving both of them a trip to the Garden State.
The semifinals are scheduled for May 18 and will pit Danbury United against Boston Olympiakos and the New York Pancyprians against Aegean Hawks FC. The winners of each match will advance to the Region I championship game, as well as qualify themselves for the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
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