On May 13, 2015, the Upward Stars FC (NPSL) and Triangle Brigade FC (USASA Region III) squared off in a battle of clubs making their very first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup appearance. After 120 minutes, and six goals split between them, the Stars from South Carolina prevailed in penalty kicks over their opponents from North Carolina, 3-1.
The Upward Stars advance to Round 2 where they will take on another North Carolina team making its tournament debut, the Charlotte Independence of the United Soccer League. The game will be played on the South Carolina side of the border, at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC.
Both teams began the game strong offensively, scoring goals in the first 11 minutes. Andre Carle of the Stars opened the scoring in the 8th minute and three minutes later Lucas Silva equalized for the visitors. Triangle Brigade FC took the lead on a Lucas Silva goal in the 30th minute and dominated possession for the remainder of the half. The scoring would not end there.
Stars FC answered back in the 51st minute, when Tom Keen scored on a penalty kick. The Stars scored their third and final goal of the match four minutes later, to take a 3-2 lead. Brigade FC’s Josh Toma tied it up 3-3 with the final goal of the match in the 68th minute.
The Brigade and the Stars held each other scoreless through 30 minutes of extra time. Brigade FC’s Matt Sareett and Stars FC’s Haven Bruce kept the game tied 1-1, after the first round of PKs. Marvin Schmiegge and Greg Fulton would give the Stars a 3-1 lead, as Stars’ GK, Solomon Mocktezuma, stopped the Brigade’s next three PKs.
After the Stars’ 3-1 victory, Mocktezuma was asked if he knew the Stars would win it.
“All the time, all the time. If you don’t believe you can do it, then you won’t.”