T2 Fight Hard but Get Ousted in Open Cup

Do you remember the first time T2 went north to play S2? They suffered their first loss ever. After going up 1-0, S2 were able to equalize and then secure the game winner and defeat T2 2-1. Sounds familiar doesn't it?

The first half went about as well as you could expect. After working the nerves out T2 looked comfortable enough that maybe, just maybe, they could crack the impenetrable fortress that is Starfire Stadium when it comes to Open Cup matches. But both teams went into the half tied at nil a piece.

In the second half though there was a moment of hope delivered via Rennico Clarke's head. In the 54th minute, T2 drew first blood via a strong header from defender Rennico Clarke off a corner kick served in by captain Blair Gavin. But S2 were playing at home for the second time in a row in the Open Cup and just like the last time T2 went to visit, they would not be able to sustain the lead.

After T2 scored, S2 seemed to wake up and really go for it. And S2 tied the match in the 65th minute as Andy Craven got onto the end of a through ball from VIctor Mansaray and beat Justin Luthy one-on-one for the goal. After which S2 kept pushing for the game winner to avoid regulation, but Luthy made a number of point-blank stops to help get the match into extra time.

Unfortunately, extra time wasn't going to be kind to T2. And just like the first visit, S2 got the game winner they were looking for in the 104th minute. Midfielder Sam Garza played Pablo Rossi into the penalty box and Rossi made no mistake slotting a shot across the goal and into the far corner for the extra time game winner.

T2 tried to equalize to get to penalties but despite close chances from Delbridge and Belmar in the dying minutes of extra time, S2 kept the lead and made it to the 4th round of the Open Cup where they will travel to Utah and face Real Salt Lake.

T2 will return to league play and get back on the road (yet again) for three consecutive matches. The first visit will be in Tulsa, Oklahoma against the Tulsa Roughnecks on Saturday, May 30th, 2015. Kickoff will be at 5:30pm pacific.