(PEORIA, Illinois) — A story perfectly written, just for Peoria soccer history, as the Flying Carp secure their first-ever victory over the Des Moines Menace.
Peoria would start the scoring in the 23rd minute, with Justin Wilson knocking one in after the Jose Gomez steal and assist.
Four minutes later, the Menace would tie it.
Before the half, the goal-scorer Luke Persenico reminds the world of his versatility with the perfect cross to DJ Koulai who slides one in. Carp up 2-1 at the half.
It was a beautiful day in Peoria, Illinois on Sunday, July 21st. Roughly 80 degrees and sunny in the first half, followed by some cloud coverage to start the second half which helped cool things down.
This perfect summer weather lasted through the 60th minute, when DJ Koulai was fouled by the Menace keeper in the box, leading to a Luke Persenico PK. Similar to our first match of the season in Des Moines, Persenico nails it! This would be Luke’s 3rd goal against the Menace this year, so far.
Until the rain came.
For roughly 20-30 minutes, the rain poured down, soaking everyone at Shea Stadium.
The Menace would get closer to equal in the 70th minute, but Carp lead 3-2.
Before the end of 90, the Menace would tie the game, leading us into extra time.
In the first half of extra time, Luke Persenico would score AGAIN, giving the carp a 4-3 lead in the 97th minute. We’d stay up heading into the second half of extra time.
This is where the fun begins, if the first 105 minutes weren’t fun enough.
Des Moines would grab two extra time goals to give the Menace a 4-5 lead with just minutes to spare.
Immediately on the attack, Peoria wouldn’t give up, pressuring the Menace defense and striving for that game-tying goal.
And with seconds to spare, Peoria City would find it.
Off of a LONG Josh Reddy throw-in, the ball was headed in the air not once, but twice by Des Moines players, right to the feet of Peoria native Fritz Volmar, who rockets one through traffic. Carp tie it 5-5!
Volmar just got back to Peoria from Mexico, where he was training with the U.S. Soccer Youth National Team (USYNT) U-20 team.
The whistle blows, and that’s it for extra time.
Which you know what that means. PKs!
It all starts with Danny Sergiev.
Sergiev lines it up perfectly, hitting the bottom part of the crossbar to soar in the back of the net. Peoria up 1-0 on PKs.
Now it’s time for Super Samy Slimi to shine. The Menace attacker hits a rocket to the left side… SLIMI STOPS IT!
Charlie Dickerson’s PK would be blocked, followed by a Menace goal. It’s 1-1 after 2 rounds.
It’s the Danish King’s turn. Jonas Lyshoj’s shot is too strong for the Menace keeper, finding the back of the net and giving the Carp a 2-1 advantage.
Menace would answer, it’s 2-2 after 3 rounds.
Now comes Joao Saraiva, the Bradley Brave from Portugal. He rockets it clean past the keeper, Carp rise 3-2.
There’s a reason Samy Slimi received another Man of the Match nod on Sunday.
Des Moines’ fourth attempt would be thwarted by a diving Slimi, blocking the shot and keeping our lead at 3-2 in penalties.
With all the pressure on his back, Peoria’s own Myles Sophanavong steps up to the line.
With everything at stake, Sophanavong placed the shot perfectly, hitting the inside of the post and bouncing in the back of the net while the keeper dove the opposite way. Carp win!
Sophanavong called the win the greatest soccer experience he’s ever had in Peoria.
“We stuck together and we grinded out the result. Scoring in the last second to force penalties? Sometimes that’s what it takes,” Sophanavong. “I’m so grateful, and trusted in my coaches and teammates. Samy faced so many shots today and came up big so I could make the winning kick. Shout out Samy.”
Persenico feeling a lot of the same excitement as the droves of Peoria City fans who came out Sunday, saying it was a team effort.
“We put it all in and came out with the result we needed, it was huge,” Persenico said. “The 309, everyone else, it was just crazy. With their support, it got us to where we needed to be. Without my team, I wouldn’t be where I needed to be. Credit to them for giving me the ball and putting me in the spot I had to be to finish it.”
Persenico echoes Sophanavong’s sentiment about Samy Slimi, saying he’s one of the best goalkeepers he’s ever seen.
“You don’t call him Super Slimi for no reason. That kid is unbelievable,” Persenico says.
The Flying Carp now gear up to face the Flint City Bucks the following weekend.
More details on when and where the match will take place are planned to be released Monday morning.
#UpTheCarp
