Rochester advances on Boomer Steileman’s goal to beat the Mustangs, 4-3.
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The Rochester Lancers are going to the Major Arena Soccer League 2 semifinals.
Boomer Steigleman scored 3:19 into sudden-death overtime to register a 4-3 comeback win over the Chicago Mustangs in the Eastern Division championship game at the Grand Sports Arena Thursday night.
Competing in its first season the league’s second tier, Rochester qualified for the M2 Final Four, which will be held in Ontario, Calif.
What made the result more rewarding for the Lancers (9-4) was that they overcame a 2-1 halftime deficit and the fact the visitors dropped both regular-season matches to Chicago (10-3) by scores of 9-6 and 7-5.
As it turns out, Steigleman had the first and last words of the game, scoring off a Jeremy Ortiz feed at 10::51 of the opening quarter.
The Mustangs, however, struck twice in the second quarter to grab a 2-1 halftime lead behind Adrian Ortiz (7:33) and Alexis Camaerna (10:25).
The third quarter was just about all Rochester, which tallied twice within 62 seconds. First, Irondequoit native Jake Schindler tallied the equalizer at 3:30 before Jayme Kapinos lifted the team into a 3-2 lead at 4:32.
Chicago managed to tie things at 3-3 with 2:30 remaining in the period on Camarena’s second goal of the match. The teams battled through a scoreless 4th quarter before Stiegleman produced his dramatic heroics.
Immediately after the winning goal, there was a confrontation on the field that apparently was started by an angry and disappointed Mustangs side.
Goalie Joey Kapinos made 16 saves in posting the upset victory over the regular season Eastern Division champs.
The Lancers will face Mountain Division champion Juarez Cuervos in the semifinals next Friday in California.