In the second match of a double header in Denver late Saturday night, MNUFC2’s Tommy Williamson led the Loons to a 3-3 draw on the back of scoring a hat trick against the Colorado Rapids 2. But the Loons fell just short of earning the extra point, falling 5-4 in a penalty shootout after regulation.

With kick being delayed over an hour due to inclement weather during the MLS match, MNUFC2 and Rapids 2 took to the field with haste and urgency. But nearly a half hour into the match, Colorado would open the scoring. The Loons bounced back, winning a penalty kick in which forward Tommy Williamson converted, equalizing at one apiece. Williamson then connected a midfielder Ignacio Gutierrez pass, finding the back of the net again just three minutes later, ending the half in favor of the Loons 2-1. The second half proved dramatic, as Rapids 2 equalized in the 59th minute on a penalty kick before quickly reclaiming the lead in the 61st. But Minnesota yet again won another penalty kick, and Williamson converted, scoring his third of the match with 10 minutes left to play in regulation.

Following the 3-3 draw in regulation, the teams went to a penalty kick shootout to determine who walks away with two points. MNUFC2 saw Williamson, Diogo Pacheco, Aziel Jackson and Jason Ramos successfully score, but Sagir Arce’s shot was saved. Rapids 2 successfully netted each of their attempts, taking the two points on a final score of 3-3 (5-4 on PKs).

With the draw, MNUFC2 remains in the seventh position in the MLS Next Pro Western Conference standings (7-7-4, 28 points).

MNUFC2 next returns to Minnesota to host the Tacoma Defiance on Monday, August 15 at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota. Kick is set for 6:00 p.m. CT, and the contest will be streamed live at www.mlsnextpro.com.

GOALS
1-0 COL – Dantouma Toure, Assist by Daouda Amadou (26’)
1-1 MIN – Tommy Williamson PK (34’)
1-2 MIN – Tommy Williamson, Assist by Ignacio Gutierrez (37’)
2-2 COL – Darren Yapi PK (59’)
3-2 COL – Yosuke Hanya, Assist by Omar Gomez (61’)
3-3 MIN – Tommy Williamson PK (80’)

DISCIPLINAIRY SUMMARY
Yellow, COL – Darren Yapi (29’)
Yellow, MIN – Carlos Leatherman (36’)
Yellow, MIN – Tommy Williamson (45’+4’)
Yellow, COL – R Priso-Mbongue (79’)
Yellow, MIN – Ignacio Gutierrez (84’)
Yellow, MIN – Jason Ramos (90’+5’)
Yellow; Red, COL – Darren Yapi (90’+5’)

NOTABLE STATS
21-10 – MNUFC2 outshot Rapids 2 by a total of 21-10
6 – The Loons blocked six of Colorado’s shots on Saturday night
3 – Tommy Williamson scored three goals and also made three key passes against Rapids 2

TEAM LEADERS (Updated through August 6)
Goals – Tommy Williamson (9)
Assists – Aziel Jackson (6)
Saves – Fred Emmings (33)
Wins – Fred Emmings (3)
Shutouts – Eric Dick (2)