skip navigation

Energy FC, Saint Louis Tie After Electrifying First Half

By AARON CRANFORD - aaron.cranford@uslsoccer.com, 09/24/16, 9:15PM EDT

Share

Energy FC earns seventh seed in 2016 USL Playoffs; Saint Louis ends season 8-12-10


Photo courtesy of Steven Christy/OKC Energy FC

OKLAHOMA CITY – OKC Energy FC secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 USL Playoffs at Taft Stadium on Saturday, playing Saint Louis FC to a 2-2 tie to finish off regular-season play for both sides. Timo Pitter started the electrifying first half of action with a goal less than 20 seconds after kickoff. Despite already being mathematically eliminated from USL Playoffs contention, Saint Louis came to play, scoring two goals two minutes apart to take a 2-1 lead just over 20 minutes. The one-goal advantage did not last long, as Energy FC’s Danni Konig headed in the fourth goal of the match in the 26th minute. Saint Louis finishes the USL regular season with a 8-12-10 record, while Energy FC finishes 10-7-13.

Scoring:
1’ – OKC – Timo Pitter
21’ – STL – Ntokozo Tshuma
23’ – STL – Tyler David (Alec ‘AJ’ Cochran)
26’ – OKC – Danni Konig (Michael Thomas)

Three Things That Mattered:

  • 1. Energy FC’s attackers look to be in form at the right time. While Pitter and Konig each scored a goal in the 2-2 tie, Andy Craven, Wojciech Wojcik and Michael Thomas were all active and combining well going forward on Saturday. Craven played a part in the buildup to Pitter’s early opener, while Thomas recorded an assist on Konig’s game-tying goal in the 26th minute. Konig, who tested Saint Louis goalkeeper Ryan Thompson often, nearly netted the game-winner in the 77th minute, but his shot sailed just wide of the post.

  • 2. Despite being beaten twice on the evening, Cody Laurendi shined in spurts to add to his spectacular year in goal for Energy FC. The netminder played 26 games, recorded a 0.92 goals against average and recorded 12 shutouts – one shy of the USL single-season record set by Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Brandon Miller in 2015. On Saturday, Laurendi made an impressive diving stop in the 45th minute. The Energy FC goalkeeper dove to his right to prevent Saint Louis’ David from netting his second of the evening.

  • 3. Saint Louis’ 2016 USL campaign officially came to an end at Taft Stadium on Saturday. The club finished the year with as many wins – eight – as it had in 2015, but Saint Louis also scored five more goals than it had in year one. While Ntokozo Tshuma was a man who performed well for Saint Louis on the day, Irvin Herrera was the key figure for the club all year long. Herrera was held in check for most of the match, which meant players such as Tshuma and David needed to step up. They did, and Saint Louis walked out of Taft Stadium with a well-earned point.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Danni Konig, OKC Energy FC: 
The Danish forward scored the game-tying goal in the 26th minute and continued to test Saint Louis' back line with strong runs and combination play with his teammates.

Upcoming Games:
OKC Energy FC – Western Conference Quarterfinals, at No. 2 Rio Grande Valley FC - Saturday, Oct. 1, 8:30 p.m. ET – Toro Park
Saint Louis FC – End of Season

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos