The Aegean Hawks (DC/Virginia) took advantage of a last minute penalty and saved on moments later to advance to the semifinals of the Region I qualifier of the US Open Cup at the expense of the Baltimore Colts FC.

It was the first time the two sides have met and the neighboring teams played a thriller. The Hawks opened the scoring at the 10th minute mark with a free kick sent into the box that was headed by Carlos Garcia onto the path of Justin Bodiya, whose left-footed volley made it a 1-0 margin. The Hawks scored their second goal on the 30th minute off the individual effort of striker Anders Kelto. 

The Colts came out strong in the second half, forcing the Hawks to defend their lead. Around the 50th minute, Guil Costa made a run down the left flank and slotted a pass onto Bill Whittington who calmly put it away from about 10 yards out. The two players connected again 20 minutes later, as Costa found his teammate racing down the left side. Whittington strode past a defender and placed an inch perfect shot to the keeper’s left low post to bring the match even at two goals apiece. 

With momentum swinging each way for the next ten minutes, both sides saw close chances but were unable to capitalize on their attempts. As the game was approaching the end, the referee signaled that there would be one minute of stoppage time and the teams were preparing for overtime. Kelto made a move into the Colts penalty area and was taken down. Garcia converted the penalty to give the Hawks the lead. On the ensuing kick, Andre Wise of the Colts reached a long ball sent to the left and is taken down in the penalty area. Costa took the penalty and placed it well only to have Hawks keeper Nick Carlin-Voigt make the perfect save.

The Colts now head to New Jersey to meet the German American Kickers in the US Amateur Cup. The Hawks are also in the Amateur Cup and will play the United German-Hungarians of Eastern Pennsylvania. Perhaps the two will provide another exciting match in the US Amateur semifinals.

Upcoming Schedule:

• 11 May - US Amateur Cup - First Round Qualifier - USASA Region I
  
  
  • German American Kickers (NJ) vs. Baltimore Colts FC (MD)
     
     
• 18 May - US Over-30 Cup - First Round Qualifier - USASA Region I
  
  
  • Kearny (NJ) vs. Christos/Colts United (MD)
    

For More information about MSSA cup action, click the link below:

MSSA Cups