(PEORIA, ILLINOIS) — Peoria City’s USL League Two side finishes spring exhibition action with a 3-3 draw against Northwestern University.
The high-scoring matchup was the second and final round of the CEFCU College Series, which saw the Carp playing the Bradley Braves of Peoria followed by the Big 10’s Northwestern.
The rain stayed away for Saturday’s matchup, but cool temperatures and overcast skies led to a brisk afternoon at Shea Stadium.
Northwestern kicks off the scoring, but Peoria’s Alfonso Gonzalez-Fernandez (Clarke University) strikes in a rocket of a goal, assisted by Ethan Ansah (Bradley University). Carp and NU head into half time 1-1.
NU opens up the second half quick with a second goal, soon to be met by a Peoria City equalizer.
Alfonso Gonzalez-Fernandez meets the stat sheet for the second time Saturday, slicing the defense with a beautiful pass that meets Joshua Torres (UIC) just inside the box. Torres evades the defense and knocks in the tying goal.
Just 7 minutes later, a popular 2024 duo meets for the first time this season. Jose Gomez (Northern Illinois University) finds 2024’s Heartland Division Player of the Year Luke Persenico (Clarke) on the right wing. Persenico drills the shot past both the defender and the keeper, finding the back of the net and giving the Carp the 3-2 lead with 26 minutes to play.
The back-and-forth scoring showcase continues, with Northwestern scoring the game-tying goal late in the second half.
With 14 minutes left to play, the refs award a red card to NU, leaving Northwestern down a man for the remainder of the match.
Multiple close chances come up for the Carp, but ultimately the match ends in a 3-3 draw.
Northwestern ends its spring season at Shea Stadium, while Peoria City now gears up for the club’s fourth USL League Two season.
In one week, the Flying Carp head down to St. Louis to take on USL newcomer St. Louis Ambush.
On Saturday, May 10 – it will be Peoria City vs. St. Louis Ambush, with a 7:00 p.m. kick-off at Missouri Baptist University’s Spartan Field (12575 N Outer 40 Rd | St. Louis, MO 63141).
This will be the first leg of a home-and-home start to the season against St. Louis. The following Saturday, Peoria City will host the Ambush at Shea Stadium for the Carp’s home opener. A 7:30 p.m. kick-off on May 17 will start with the usual tailgate, opening three hours before kick-off.
Stadium gates will open at 6:30, with the Discover Peoria Play Zone being back for a second year!
The Carp’s home opener will be First Responder Appreciation Night, sponsored by the Germantown Hills Athletic Association Fire & Rec.
The generous sponsorship allows for all first responders and their families to enter the home opener for free. This is the second consecutive year Peoria City and GHAA have collaborated to honor those who serve our local communities.
The night before, Peoria City’s inaugural WPSL team heads to Indianapolis, Indiana for the WPSL season opener against FC Pride. The 6:00 p.m. CT (7:00 p.m. local time, EST) season opener will be played at FC Pride Turf Stadium (11960 62nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46235).
The following weekend, Peoria City WPSL meets the home crowd at Shea Stadium, hosting Lou Fusz Athletic (St. Louis) on Saturday, May 24th.
That same night, Peoria City’s USL League Two side heads to Kansas City, MO to take on USL newcomer Santa Fe Wanderers.
To see both squads in action, get your season tickets now!
Click here to see all season-ticket loyalty offers! Join the nearly 500 fans who have already received season tickets by getting discounts to local retailers, restaurants and Rivermen games.
Single-game tickets are also on sale, including the Family & Friends 4-pack. General Admission tickets start at just $6!
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