Tuesday, June 12, 2007

DANBURY, CT -- The Western Mass Pioneers survived a scare in the First Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup against the USASA side Danbury United on the road in Connecticut, rallying for a 3-2 victory in overtime.

Everson Maciel put the visitors on the board first with a penalty in the 59th minute minute and were nearing a victory when Danbury’s Mauro Costa levelled the score four minutes from time to force 30 minutes of extra time.

The host club took the early lead in overtime with Mauro Santos scoring two minutes in for a 2-1 lead, but without golden goal the Pioneers still had an opportunity to move on to the Second Round.

In the 105th minute Jeff Deren provided the equalizer on a penalty and four minutes later Easton Wilson struck for the game-winner.

The Pioneers advanced 3-2 to face the Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division in the Second Round.