NEW JERSEY COPA FC’S DRAMATIC EXTRA TIME STOPPAGE TIME ARAUJO WINNER IS AN ESPN SPORTSCENTER TOP PLAY

Now the nation has seen the dramatic extra time stoppage time winner by New Jersey Copa FC striker Raphael Araujo. Araujo’s moment on July 11, which emerged with just seconds remaining in NJCFC’s 2-1 National Premier Soccer League Northeast Region Keystone Conference semifinal victory over the Electric City Shock, was the ESPN SportsCenter No. 3 play on July 14’s episodes of SportsCenter @ Night.

It is the first time a highlight from a New Jersey Copa FC NPSL or United Women’s Soccer game has appeared on ESPN.

In the highlight, NJCFC and the Electric City Shock appeared to be heading to penalty kicks, tied 1-1 after more than 120 minutes of soccer, before Araujo, a North Plainfield, N.J. resident, struck for the second time in the match, stuffing a point-blank shot into the upper right corner with just seconds remaining to set off pandemonium. Eugene Heerschap and Daniel Vicente each assisted on the play.

After scoring the electrifying winner, he sprinted across the field, ran into the crowd and hugged his family, giving a kiss to his young daughter. That emotional moment was also captured in the highlight that aired on ESPN.

Araujo, who has scored 12 goals on the season, including nine in the last three games, and last week was the Mitre National Player of the Week, will lead New Jersey Copa into the Keystone Conference championship game on Saturday, July 15 at 7:00 pm at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel, N.J.