Duluth FC Exits Playoffs with 3-2 Loss to Joy AC

By Duluth FC

Duluth FC hadn’t lost a home contest in nearly two years heading into Wednesday night’s North Conference Semifinals against Joy AC of St. Louis Park, MN.  In the early stages of this match, that trend seemed to be safe as the Blue Greens stormed out of the gates with two goals in the opening five minutes of the match.

Duluth took the opening kickoff and sent play deep into Joy’s defensive end.  After a clear out of bounds, Duluth maintained control and JJ Oyebamiji sent a cross from the back line to the left foot of Alex Ruiz, who tapped it in to give the Blue Greens a 1-0 lead in the first minute of the game.

They would extend the lead to 2-0 off the foot of captain Liam Pritchard as he got a step on a Joy defender following a beautiful cross by Teddy Miranda and beat goalkeeper Oscar Herrera from close range in the far left corner. 

Joy AC would do a good job during the next ten minutes to keep the game in striking distance as Duluth continued to apply pressure, looking for more.  In the 21st minute, a nifty passing play setup by Joy standout Phillip Caputo ended up on the foot of Griffin Price who slipped it past a sprawling Alex Paredes and cut Duluth’s lead in half.

Duluth would get a chance to retake a two-goal advantage in the 44th minute when Oyebamiji drew a penalty kick on Herrera.  Pritchard would take the penalty kick, and Herrera made a very good diving save on the Blue Greens captain to keep the game 2-1.  That saved penalty kick seemed to really change the momentum of the game heading into the second half.

In the 52nd minute Joy would even the score on a defensive error by the Blue Greens as Paredes made the initial save on a Caputo shot, but Juan Diego Carreno collided with Paredes popping the ball loose and onto the foot of Christopher Plaza Alvarado, who tapped it into the net and tied the game at 2-2.

Fifteen minutes later, Joy AC would find the go-ahead goal from Carver Tierney as he worked his way through several Duluth FC defenders and beat Paredes far post from the 18 to give the Goats a 3-2 advantage.

Throughout the last 20 minutes of the game into stoppage time, Duluth FC would put immense pressure on Joy, but to no avail.  Joy drew Duluth FC offsides time and time again throughout the match and the discipline of their back line alleviated much pressure off of Herrera.

Duluth would get close twice in stoppage time, but were unable to add the equalizer and would see their season come to an end as the final whistle blew after a little over five minutes of stoppage time.

Joy AC now advances to face Siouxland United FC following their 2-0 win over Sioux Falls Thunder FC.  That game will be played on Saturday, July 12.

Photo Credit: Joao Bieber/Duluth FC