MNUFC2 played to its second-consecutive shootout victory on Sunday evening, defeating Austin FC II 1(9)-1(8) at the National Sports Center Stadium.
The Texas side opened the scoring in the 36th minute. After goalkeeper Fred Emmings caught a cross in the center of the box, he looked to distribute up the field but his pass was intercepted by forward Emmanuel Johnson. Seeing forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez with space at the top of the box, Johnson played into his feet and Ocampo-Chavez chipped into the net for the lead.
Forward Kameron Lacey nearly put MNUFC2 on the board when he received a pass from midfielder Zaydan Bello in the center of the box. Lacey turned with pressure and was able to get a shot off, bending the ball into the far post and struck the crossbar.
In the 64th minute, winger Juan Mosquera drew a penalty in the box and the Twos were awarded a penalty kick. Lacey stepped up to the spot and net the attempt in the 65th minute for the game-tying goal, securing his 10th goal of the season.
Austin had another close chance in the 70th minute when defender Anthony De Anda sent in a lofted ball over the MNUFC2 backline for forward Christo Vela to connect with. Vela’s shot hit the post and deflected for the Twos to clear out of the goal area.
Minnesota created multiple chances on goal to round out the end of regulation time but were unable to capitalize, sending the teams to a penalty shootout. Emmings made four saves in the shootout and even put away one of his own attempts once called upon. The home side would take the extra point after converting nine shots compared to Austin’s eight.
With the shootout win, MNUFC2 sit in sixth place in MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference regular-season standings with a 9-9-8 record (W-L-D) and 40 points.
MNUFC2 will next host Sporting KC II at the National Sports Center Stadium, in Blaine, Minnesota on September 17th at 5:00pm CT – the final regular-season home game for the Twos. The match will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
GOALS
0-1 ATX – Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, assisted by Emmanuel Johnson (36’)
1-1 MIN – Kameron Lacey, PK (65’)
SHOOTOUT SUMMARY
MIN
Pacheco – Scored
Bello – Saved
Randell – Missed
Mesanvi – Scored
Ramos – Scored
Marques – Scored
Richardson – Saved
Romanshyn Jr. – Saved
Gbo – Scored
Rodas – Scored
Emmings – Scored
Pacheco – Scored
Bello – Scored
ATX
Pinkham – Scored
Asensio – Scored
Ramirez – Scored
Noel – Missed
Hafferty – Saved
Pineau – Scored
Torres – Saved
Las – Saved
Vela – Scored
Mazzaferro – Scored
Louis Jean – Scored
Pinkham – Scored
Asensio – Saved
DISCIPLINAIRY SUMMARY
Caution, MIN – Juan Mosquera (45’+4’)
Caution, MIN – Emmanuel Iwe (51’)
Caution, MIN – Nick Richardson (53’)
Caution, ATX – Christopher Pinkham (59’)
Caution, ATX – Valentin Noel (71’)
NOTEABLE STATS
10 – With his penalty goal, Kameron Lacey scored his 10th goal of the season and tied former MNUFC2 forward Aziel Jackson for most goals scored in a single-season.
2 – MNUFC2 earned its second-consecutive shutout victory, both matches resulting in a penalty shootout with a 9-8 penalty margin.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through Sept. 10)
Goals – Kameron Lacey (10)
Assists – Diogo Pacheco (4)
Saves – Fred Emmings (71)
Wins – Fred Emmings (7)
Shutouts – Fred Emmings, Alec Smir (3)
