(PEORIA, ILLINOIS) — New names and faces shined in front of one of 2025’s largest Peoria City crowds Saturday night.
While the Carp clinched a USL League Two Playoff spot already, the boys in black wanted to put on a show for the City one more time in the regular season.
One of the squad’s newest member is midfielder Grant Locker (Marquette University | FC Ambush). Locker captained the Great Plains opponent FC Ambush squad during the 2025 season. In a USL League Two transfer, Locker now finishes his 2025 campaign with Peoria City.
Just 8 minutes in, Locker made his first mark in his Peoria City legacy.
The play started in Peoria’s defensive half, when Saturday night’s captain, Grant Paskus (Northern Illinois), sent a long ball into Sunflower territory to find Henrik Boer (Western Michigan). Boer would shake off a defender, making a move past a second defender, and crossing the ball to a streaking Locker.
Locker would chest the ball to himself, letting the ball hit the grass one time before rocketing a shot past the Sunflower keeper. Peoria City goes up 1-0.
Roughly 17 minutes later, Sunflower would get their first real chance of the net, a penalty kick.
Drew Berry (Bradley) would step up big in his home turf of Shea Stadium, making an acrobatic kick save to keep the Carp lead.
With the minutes winding down in the first half, Peoria would get on the board again.
Locker would take the corner kick, as he did all game, completing a short pass to Alfonso Gonzalez (Clarke).
Gonzalez would cross the ball to Kevin Mejias (Bradley), who would rip a shot on net.
Mitch Coughlon (Bradley) would flick on a deflection, soaring past the keeper and into the back of the net. 2-0 PC.
That score would stand heading into the second half.
Sunflower would start the scoring midway through the second half, but Peoria City would get the last laugh.
In the 887th minute, Tommy Coughlin (Green Bay) would do what he does best. Cause havoc in the midfield.
Coughlin would find Locker on the right wing, who would one-time cross it into the goalie’s box.
There, Mitch Coughlon would be wide open, taking it right at the keeper. Coughlon would dribble around the goalie, tapping in the goal to end the night.
Coughlon and the Carp would celebrate at the main grandstand of Shea Stadium.
Berry would face 9 shots in goal Saturday night, blocking 8, including the first half penalty kick.
Local central Illinois high schoolers would get their first taste of Peoria City action in the regular season finale. Declan Schuler (Peoria Notre Dame) and Believe Avida (Normal Community) were rostered on the USL League Two squad, both entering the match in the second half.
Peoria City now heads full speed towards playoffs. You can expect more information on peoriacitysoccer.com and Peoria City’s social media pages regarding opponents, match times, and additional information in the coming days.
#UpTheCarp
