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St. Louis Community College Archers

Archers Advance to NJCAA National Tournament After Penalty Shootout

St. Louis Community College are the NJCAA Central District Champs.
St. Louis Community College are the NJCAA Central District Champs.
November 8, 2025
Box Score

In a dramatic NJCAA Division II Men's Soccer Central District Championship match, St. Louis Community College and Parkland College battled to a 1-1 draw through regulation and two overtime periods, setting the stage for a nail-biting penalty shootout. The Archers of St. Louis Community College ultimately prevailed, converting three penalty kicks to secure their spot in the NJCAA National Tournament in Wichita, Kansas.

The match opened with high intensity as St. Louis Community struck first in the 11th minute. Felipe Alcantara Sam found the back of the net off an assist from Tyson Shirley, giving the Archers an early advantage. Parkland College responded quickly, equalizing in the 20th minute with a goal from Kaya Karabeyaz-Cowli, assisted by Gustavo Poli. Despite numerous chances from both sides, the score remained deadlocked at 1-1 through regulation and two overtime periods.

The contest was marked by physical play and resilience. Parkland College received six yellow cards, while St. Louis Community collected five. A pivotal moment came in the 68th minute when Santiago Vaca Diez of St. Louis Community was shown a red card, forcing the Archers to play with ten men for the remainder of the match. Despite the disadvantage, the Archers' defense held strong, backed by goalkeeper Antonin Louis Didier's critical saves.

Statistically, Parkland College led in corner kicks (10-2) and shots on goal (5-3), but neither team could break the stalemate. With the championship on the line, the match proceeded to penalty kicks. St. Louis Community converted three PKs to Parkland's two, clinching the victory and earning a coveted berth in the NJCAA National Tournament.

Head Coach Garza praised the team's grit: "This was a true test of character. Playing down a man and still finding a way to win speaks volumes about our players' determination. We're excited to represent St. Louis Community College on the national stage."

The Archers now turn their focus to Wichita, Kansas, where they will compete among the nation's best in pursuit of an NJCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship.