NEWPORT NEWS — On the biggest day of his team’s history, the newest member of Lionsbridge FC delivered the most important kick in the club’s five years.
Coleman Jennings nailed the fifth of five penalty kicks for Lionsbridge, breaking a tie in the final round against The Villages FC. The 4-3 victory in PKs, after a 1-1 draw, and sent the Lions to the USL League Two national championship match against Ballard FC, which will host the match Saturday in Seattle, Washington.
Jennings, who just joined the club last week, was even-keeled about his new place in the team’shistory.
“I just wanted to deliver for the boys,” said Jennings, who hit a perfect line drive into the right side of the net that sent the home crowd, which filled the TowneBank Stadium bleachers, into a frenzy and ended the hopes of the visitors from central Florida.
What a moment! A memory with my mates that will last forever. UP THE BRIDGE @LionsbridgeFC pic.twitter.com/g9rTz4MkBI
— Andrew Bennett (@ajbennett101) July 31, 2023
Davide Materazzi, Sam Hall and Andrew Bennett also scored on penalty kicks for Lionsbridge.
Jennings’ game-winner was preceded by a crucial save from goalie Tyler Hogan, who stopped a grounder by Pedro Santos to keep the bonus round tied.
Asked if Santos tipped him off about which direction he might send the ball, Hogan said, “I know where I’m going before they (kick) it.”
Lionsbridge (13-2-4) extended its overall unbeaten streak to 10 and its home unbeaten run to 32 games.
The victory ended a rugged stretch for the Eastern Conference champions, who played four playoff games in nine days — including two overtime matches this weekend, the first of which lasted until 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
The first half was scoreless, highlighted by some rough-and-tumble play and few scoring opportunities. The Villages’ Nicolai Muench had the first open shot at goal at the 10-minute mark, receiving a pass within 10 yards of the Lionsbridge goal, with only keeper Hogan to beat. But his attempt from the near right side hit the outside of the goal, getting caught in the netting.
Five minutes later, Lionsbridge midfielder Bennett hooked a 30-yard attempt over the Villages defense and directly toward the top of the goal. But keeper Mathias Tieppo leaped to bat the ball over the crossbar.
Play got chippy in the second half after The Villages took a 1-0 lead when Alvaro Carrera scored in the 46th minute. At the 50-minute mark, a shoving match among several members of both teams broke out near midfield, and two minutes later, Lionsbridge’s Harri Rowe drew a yellow card for upending Muench.
“They’re a physical team,” said Lions coach Chris Whalley. “I think we handled it well.”
The hosts eventually benefited. Lionsbridge earned a free kick from 35 yards after Sam Hall was pushed to the turf while dribbling. Bennett’s kick was recovered by teammate Adam Kirkwood, who turned to deliver a line drive toward the goal. The ball hit the crossbar, but an alert Josh Baker dove to head in the rebound for a game-tying score in the 67th minute.
The good news for Lionsbridge was almost short-lived. The Villages dribbled into the Lions’ zone and sent akick toward the goal in the 72nd minute. The ball started bouncing toward the net, with Hogan caught five yards outside of the goal. Instinctively, he turned to chase the ball, which he managed to bat out of the crease with his right hand, saving what would have been the potential winning goal as the two clubs played to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation.
Neither team scored in the two 15-minute extra-time periods, setting up the shootout and Lionsbridge’s most memorable victory.
