Ortiz's Walk-Off Penalty Kick Secures Three Points at Home
June 9, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Jerry Ortiz converted a walk-off penalty kick in the 97th minute to give Penn FC a 3-2 victory against Toronto FC II in front of a 2018 record crowd at FNB Field Saturday night.
Showing true character, Penn FC was determined to defend all three points at home. After even more late pressure from Rush Soccer's First Team, Isaac Osae found himself on the end of a Menjivar lofted through ball into the penalty area. Osae's second touch met the shoulder of a Toronto defender, and the head official awarded a penalty kick.
Without hesitation, Ortiz walked up to the spot to deliver Penn FC the tiebreaking finish. The goalkeeper dove to the correct side, but Ortiz's attempt had too much pace and found the back of the net. Ortiz immediately ran toward the left corner flag as he was draped by his teammates in celebration.
In the moments before the penalty kick, a different result seemed more likely.
Toronto opened the scoring in the 13th minute through forward Ayo Akinola. After some precise passing down the right wing, midfielder Alan Mino found Akinola with a dicing through ball for the forward's second goal of the season.
Penn FC turned the tide after halftime, scoring two goals in two minutes. Following a corner kick for the home team, intricate passing on the right wing led to a one-time cross being swung in by Kyle Venter. On the receiving end of the cross was team captain Ken Tribbett, who rocketed the header past the Toronto keeper to equalize in the 55th minute.
Two minutes later, Richard Menjivar applied pressure to the Toronto FC II back line and his attempted cross was deflected out for a Penn FC corner kick. Menjivar's outswinger on the ensuing corner was met once again by the forehead of Tribbett. Electing to go low, Penn FC's new leading scorer on the season slotted the header into the bottom right corner to give the home team the lead.
However, Toronto responded less than five minutes later with an equalizer of their own. Toronto sprung a deadly counter-attack straight down the middle of the pitch. After a lengthy run with the ball, Malik Johnson found a through ball to Toronto captain Jordan Hamilton at the top of the box. A quick cutback by the forward gave him enough space to curl a shot with his left foot into the net.
Penn FC returns to action at FNB Field Tuesday, June 12th. The Blue and White will look to finish its homestand with another result against the Richmond Kickers. It will be the second time the two sides meet in less than a month following Richmond's 3-2 victory in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The rematch kicks off on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at pennfc.com/tickets.
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