(AURORA, Ill.) — A dominating performance by Peoria City leaves the team unbeaten in the 2024 season so far.
It was a gritty first half, but a foul in the Chicago Dutch Lions goalie box leads to a familiar opportunity for Luke Persenico.
Luke steps up to take the PK, with flashbacks of his first goal of the season in Des Moines, and knocks it through. Peoria City goes up 1-0 in the 14th minute.
That would be all the scoring to be done in the first half in Aurora.
Nadji Rebai, Justin Wilson and Jorge Rodriguez enter the game to start the second half, replacing DJ Koulai, Pepe Mellado and Joe McInnes.
The tough matchup would continue right out of the gate with a Chicago Dutch Lions player getting a yellow card in the 52nd minute.
It wouldn’t be much longer after that Tommy Coughlin would advance in the attacking zone, speed past a defender, and pass it to the center of box.
An advancing Justin Wilson would meet the cross with perfect timing, sneaking the ball past the keeper to put the Carp up 2-0. This would be Justin’s first goal of the season, but not his last of the night!
Minutes later, Coughlin again causing chaos for Dutch Lions defenders, crossing the ball to Luke Persenico.
Persenico would split two defenders, wind up for the shot, and sink it in with ease. 3-0 Peoria City.
At this point, the flood gates would open and the scoring would not stop. Luke Persenico would deflect an attempted pass by the Dutch Lions to his former Clarke University teammate Jose Gomez, who would progress into the box, and knock one in from 13 yards out. The Flying Carp go up 4-0.
As mentioned before, Justin Wilson’s scoring for the night wasn’t over yet. Right back Alejandro Valverde would cross in a beautiful pass, met by a flicker header of Wilson, up and over the goalie and into the net. Justin’s second and final goal of the night, putting the team up 5-0 and earning Wilson the Man of the Match honor.
Soon after, Joao Saraiva would set up for a free kick just outside of the Dutch Lions’ box. Nadji Rebai would secure a slight deflection, ending up perfectly at the chest of Josh Reddy. Reddy would knock the ball from his chest, and without even touching the turf, launch a rocket of a shot past the keeper for the sixth and final goal of the night.
This would wrap up the barrage of scoring had by the Carp on Wednesday night, and put their combined goals over the Dutch Lions in the two matches this summer at 10-0. The Carp now have 7 points over 3 games, and return to Shea Stadium on Wednesday, May 29th to host Sueno FC.
May 29th will be “Superhero Night.” All fans are encouraged to wear superhero outfits and a Peoria City branded cape will be a part of the Play Packs available for purchase in the stadium concourse for $5. The Play Pack will enter fans into the halftime games, with a tennis ball toss to start. Then, two names will be drawn to enter the River Cup Foundation Golf Challenge. If one of the local golf stars scores a “hole-in-one” 120-yard shot, the chosen contestant will win $10,000!
The Discover Peoria Play Zone will be packed with fun activities, including the Central Illinois Batman and his 1966 replica batmobile (weather permitting). You can also hangout with a furry friend from Wildlife Prairie Park, take your shot at our Peoria City-themed Pop-A-Shot hoop, and get balloon art made by Unique Twist.
In addition, we will be celebrating the 2024 SPHL Champions, the Peoria Rivermen! The championship trophy will be on display in the Discover Peoria Play Zone and Rivermen players and staff will be in attendance for Wednesday night’s game.
In the Industry Brewing Tailgate Zone, we are excited to launch a new service that many fans have been requesting for years. Bradley University will be providing drink service to Peoria City fans in the Tailgate Zone before the game. You can find The 309 Red Lager on other items available in the bar service for the remaining Peoria City home games this season!
Food and dessert vendors will be Gramma Nana’s, Rubi’s Brickoven Pizza, Tropical Sno and The Long Road Home.
Three nights later, Peoria City will be hosting the inaugural Irish Night, Presented by the Peoria Irish Fest and the St. Patrick Society of Peoria.
The giveaway item in that night’s Play Packs will be a Peoria City/Irish Fest can koozie, along with the entry into our halftime games.
O’Neills Sportswear has provided three Peoria City jerseys that will be giveaway items during the Irish Night halftime games.
Food vendors confirmed for June 1st are Grant Street Grocery and Tony’s on Wheels, with more potentially to be announced soon.
