EAST LANSING - In the Midwest Region Finals United found themselves up against a familiar opponent as they faced off against Fort Pitt Regiment
who they beat 1 nothing on the road earlier this season.
Well they got the Regiment at home this time less than 24 hours after their semifinal win and what a game it was.
It didn't seem like it early as United's Leigh Rumbold scored just three minutes into the game.
However, the Regiment weren't about to get shut out again as Neco Brett bent a brilliant free kick around the wall and past United goal keeper Zach Bennett to tie the game at one.
The game remained tied for much of the second half, but it looked like united got the break they needed as a foul was called in the box setting up a penalty kick.
Regiment goal keeper Brenden Alfery makes a huge save, but the ref calls him for moving too early giving united another chance to break the tie, but this time Matt Brown puts the ball high and we remained tied.
As it turns out 90 minutes was not enough so we headed to extra time.
In the first extra session the stalemate continued and as the second overtime began it looked like we might be headed to penalty kicks.
Not so fast. united forward Gabe Mateo puts in a shot in the 111th minute giving his team a 2-1 lead which would hold giving United the regional championship in their inaugural season. Mateo tried to put the feeling into words.
"It's a blessing the way we connect with everyone and how we all just formed together, our friendships on and off the field. Ya know it's just a great experience and it translates to the field. So I don't know, it's just a blessing i don't know," said Mateo.