Allentown United wins its first State Cup game

Displaying an flare for the dramatic, the Allentown United U15 girls soccer team won its first ever State Cup game last weekend.

And it only took 110 minutes and nine rounds of shoot-outs to do it.

The United were away to the Wall Hot Shots in the first round of the state cup. This is a knockout competition with the loser going home and the winner advancing to the quarterfinals. To make matters even more stressful, due to injuries and other commitments, United had only one sub for this important game.

After 80 minutes of regulation time, the game was tied 1-1. United had fallen behind in the first half but fought back to tie up the game on a nice goal from Ashley Perritt. Midway through the half Perritt received the ball after a nice pass by Katie Shields, turned on it, and one-timed it into the back of the net.

This is when things would get interesting. State Cup rules dictate that a winner must be declared on the day. The two sides, already exhausted, would play two 15-minute halves of extra time. The Allentown goalie, Shannon Buckley, continued right where she left off, making several key saves to keep United in the game. The United continued to pressure Wall's defense, but could not convert on the game-winner. Wall would come to close with 10 minutes left, but again Buckley came up big to deny the striker. After 110 minutes of intense soccer by both teams, the game remained tied and would be decided on penalty kicks. Each team would send up five players to shoot, and the best out of five would move on to the quarterfinals. Wall was first up to shoot, and Shannon Buckley came up with the first save. United sent up Brittany Holbrook, but she could not find the net as the ball sailed over the cross bar. The second penalty shot by Wall was again stopped by Shannon. Shelby Doll was next for United and converted on the shot to give United a 1-0 lead. Wall would tie the score on their third shot, before Ashley Perrit gave United back the lead when she blasted her shot into the corner. Wall would again tie the score on their fourth shot. Brittany Hodul gave United a 3-2 edge before Wall's fifth shooter tied the game at 3-3. Dawn Taylor was next for United, and all she had to do was convert the penalty and United would win. Dawn's shot was blocked by the keeper, and again both teams were still tied after five rounds of penalty shooting.

The next round was one-and-one. Wall was first to shoot, and Shannon came up with a big save. Gabby Horner could have given United the win, but her shot sailed over the cross bar. Wall gained their first lead when their seventh shooter found the net. Christa Bonham was now United's last hope, and she found the net to tie the game up again. Shannon Buckley came up with another save and United sent Meghan Deboer in, hoping she could put an end to this game but only to see her shot hit the post. Wall's ninth shooter was again denied by Buckley. Next up for United was Amanda Kyle. Amanda does not get much playing time, but on this game had the chance to be the hero and send United through the next round. She walked up to the ball calmly looked at her coach and shot the ball into the left corner to give United their first win in state cup competition.

"This was a total team effort and a game to be remembered by many," said head coach Amaro Pereira.

United will play in the quarterfinals next Sunday at Fort Dix.