The second semi-final match of the Southern Conference Championship needed more than 90 minutes to determine a winner. In fact, two 15 minute overtime periods were not enough. A penalty kick shootout ultimately determined which team would move on to face the Ocala Stampede, who upended the Midland/Odessa Sockers in the first semi-final match of the evening. FC Miami City outlasted Mississippi Brilla in penalties to earn the other spot in Saturday’s Southern Conference Championship.
Goalkeepers Florient Matthieu of FC Miami City and Jordan Bell of Mississippi Brilla were the stars of the night as each one held a clean sheet through 120 minutes of action. The scoreless result carried over into the shootout as both goalkeepers made saves on the first penalty attempts for each team. Matthieu made another key save in the end to give his team a 3-2 edge and ending Brilla’s season.
FC Miami City and Ocala Stampede will square off in another Southeast Division clash to determine the winner of the Southern Conference. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 pm at Clinton High School’s Arrow Field.