Box Score CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - Everything went wrong for Prairie State in the first half. The rain was monsoon-like for a half. Sandburg scored a pair of goals in the early going and the Pioneers lost a man to two yellow cards.
All that said, the No. 2 team in the country showed its mettle scoring two times in the second half to force overtime and then winning the game less than a minute into the extra period for a 3-2 victory over No. 10 Sandburg.
Prairie State scored the game winner when
Mohamed Elshafie hit a beautiful pass to
Stefano Mazzariol who hit a spectacular cross to
Jahmar Stinchcombe who finished beautifully to complete the team's epic comeback.
The overtime goal wouldn't have been possible without a couple of big plays in regulation. Prairie State was fouled inside the box. On the ensuing penalty kick, the Sandburg keeper made an excellent save but
El Kati Taoufik came in right behind to clean up the miss.
The Pioneers were again fouled in the box but this time
Yanis Lakhlifi buried the penalty kick to knot the game at two. Prairie State had several chances to win the game in regulation but was unable to connect.
Goalkeeper
Torben Busack kept Prairie State in the game with several outstanding saves.
Prairie State will square off against Elgin in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference play next Tuesday.