Box Score
LANGHORNE, PA - Like drama? Then Saturday's East Region Final was made for you. Since 110 minutes of play couldn't deliver a winner, penalty kicks were necessary to determine who would move on. Thankfully, a Justin Way blast is what ultimately kept PBU's season alive with images of Florida on the near horizon.
It wasn't a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, the Crimson Eagles were outshot by the Chargers 24-7 on the afternoon and were on the short end of the stick in the corners taken department, 11-4. But nevertheless, it was the Crimson Eagles who were first to capitalize on one of their scoring chances.
Seth Magnum collected and put home a through ball from Mike Zimmerman in the 34th minute to break the scoreless deadlock, signaling just the second goal of the season for the sophomore midfielder. The 1-0 cushion would hold sturdy for the remainder of the half with the Crimson Eagles fending off nine LBC shots on the cage throughout the opening 45 minutes.
The start of the second frame was much of the same story. The Crimson Eagles withstood the Chargers' pressure early with Lancaster rocketing off 10 blasts for the stanza. However, the host group finally broke down in the 75th minute when Lancaster forward Lawrence Lartey tallied his sixth goal of the year on a penalty kick following a PBU foul in the box.
With time dwindling down in regulation, neither team could punch in their second goal of the afternoon. The same story unfolded throughout both overtime sessions, setting up for the hold-your-breathe style penalty kick shoot-off prescribed for situations such as Saturday's.
After missing their first of five shots, PBU settled down and calmly made their next four. Perhaps not surprising, Lancaster followed suit. The Chargers made four out of five rips - with PBU freshman goalie Dave Shafer making an enormous and ultimately game saving stop during Lancaster's third strike - sending up for a do-or-die showdown. The sudden death format would decide Saturday's winner and champion.
Enter Justin Way.
After a second Shaffer stop that saw the rookie keeper rob LBC's Dwight Shelly attempt on goal, a single swing of Way's foot not only clinched PBU's fourth East Region title in five years but also extended the Crimson Eagles' season with a trip to Florida upcoming. The senior helped a Crimson Eagle squad gain redemption following last year's title game during which Lancaster wiggled out a 1-0 triumph in Langhorne.
The victory gives the Crimson Eagles the season sweep against the Chargers and marks the sixth straight outing the two rivals have been separated but just a single goal.
PBU moves to 7-10-2 on the season with Saturday's triumph in tact.
The group will have an opportunity to compete for an NCCAA II National Tournament beginning on November 10th in Kissimmee, FL. Please check back at the website in coming days to find out who the group will be playing.
