PEORIA, Ill. – After a classic against Des Moines this past weekend, and a tight battle against Flint City on Friday, things appeared to be a little easier for Peoria City on Sunday.
The Carp, in only its 3rd year of existence, punched their first-ever ticket to the USL League Two championship game at Shea Stadium with a 5-1 win over Tucson FC.
The teams were scoreless at the half. But Friday night’s hero, Luke Persenico, announced his presence in the match with a hat trick within 20 minutes. An own goal by Tucson FC netted Peoria its 4th of the match, and Joe McInnes made it five.
Persenico says he knew the team was going to win after seeing the vibes at halftime.
“I saw energy in the locker room and it just changed,” Persenico said. “When we came out, the first ten minutes, it just showed that we were coming to win.”
Head Coach Mike Paye says he gave a fiery locker room speech at the half to motivate the team, and knew they could play better. He says he was proud of his team after the match.
“These guys are amazing players, they’re amazing kids, they’re fighters who like to win, they’re all about winning. I see these guys interacting with each other, it’s like they’ve been playing together for five, six, seven, eight years, and that’s the key to success,” Paye said.
Captain Charlie Dickerson says team chemistry helped get the team to the title game.
“20 lads, I think that’s all we need,” Dickerson said. “No injuries, touch wood we keep it like this for the final,” Dickerson said. “The team cohesion that we have, staying around each other 24/7, living in the same apartments, training all the time, staying together, joking around. And when it’s game time, we switch on. And that’s when we go.”
Dickerson says community support has been the “12th man” of the team this season, and cherishes the moments with the fans.
THE CARP ARE MOVING ON!
For the first time in club history, @PeoriaCityUSL2 are headed to the League Two Final! pic.twitter.com/E0HMffqbK5
— USL League Two (@USLLeagueTwo) July 28, 2024
ACROBATICS FROM LUKE PERSENICO 🤯@PeoriaCityUSL2 have a DREAM lead in the second half! pic.twitter.com/4xKfiWeQ5Y
— USL League Two (@USLLeagueTwo) July 28, 2024
IT’S A HAT TRICK! LUKE PERSENICO!
The @PeoriaCityUSL2 superstar is on FIRE, and the Carp are within touching distance of their first League Two Final! pic.twitter.com/H1N00ll4h9
— USL League Two (@USLLeagueTwo) July 28, 2024
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