Four remain in Region I tournament
Danbury United, Aegean Hawks remain on course for return to the Cup
USOPENCUP.COM
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://usopencup.com/home/246319.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Danbury United and Aegean Hawks FC, the 2007 US Open Cup qualifiers
from Region I of the United States Amateur Soccer Association
(USASA), stayed on track for berths in this year's competition with
wins on Sunday. They are joined in the Region I semifinals by the New
York Pancyprians and Boston Olympiakos.


In Buffalo, a penalty kick goal by Mauro Costa and an insurance tally
in second-half stoppage time propelled Danbury United to a 2-0
victory over Queen City FC, the defending Eastern Conference champion
of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The referee was busy in
this match, booking two Danbury players for rough challenges in the
first 20 minutes before sending off another for a studs-up challenge
on Queen City back Chris Lofgren in the 21st minute. Despite holding
a 23-6 advantage in shots, Queen City could not find the goal and are
eliminated at the quarterfinal stage for the second year in a row.


In Gaithersburg, MD, first-half goals from Justin Bodiya and Anders
Kelto and a penalty-kick save by Nick Carlin-Voigt on the death of
the match allowed Aegean Hawks FC to advance with a 3-2 win over
Baltimore Colts FC, champions of the Maryland qualifying competition.
It was the first-ever meeting between the Mid-Atlantic powers.


After getting out to a 2-0 halftime lead, the Hawks were caught on
the counterattack twice by Baltimore to bring the match level after
65 minutes. With overtime looming, a penalty kick was awarded to the
Hawks, with Carlos Garcia putting them back ahead with what would be
the winning score. However, with time still left in the match, the
Colts were awarded their own penalty kick just a minute later. With a
Colts equalizer staring him in the face, Hawks' goalkeeper Nick
Carlin-Voigt saved the victory with a dramatic stop, sending the
Hawks to the Group S final.


The Aegean Hawks will host the Pancyprians after they moved on to the
semifinals with a 3-1 win over the United German Hungarians from the
Philadelphia area.


Boston Olympiakos advanced with no trouble when the New Jersey
representative, SC Vistula Garfield, forfeited when they were unable
to dress enough players due to injuries. In a sporting move, the club
did notify Olympiakos, and the referees, in advance, saving both of
them a trip to the Garden State.


The semifinals are scheduled for May 18 and will pit Danbury United
against Boston Olympiakos and the New York Pancyprians against Aegean
Hawks FC. The winners of each match will advance to the Region I
championship game, as well as qualify themselves for the 2008 Lamar
Hunt U.S. Open Cup.