The Denton Diablos earned a spot in the NPSL final after winning a seven-goal thriller that ultimately needed extra time to determine the victor of an otherwise even matchup. The game was everything a soccer fan could have asked for, with flared emotions driving the two teams towards a winning goal and a 25-yard screamer that might have just earned itself a spot in the category of goal of the season.

It didn’t take long for the Diablos to open the score sheet. Two minutes into the match, center forward Trevor Amann scored the first of his two goals, as he was able to spin past his defender with a display of impressive footwork, allowing him to send the ball past the goalkeeper and into the side netting.

The next goal was scored only five minutes later and was the result of some sketchy defending from Cleveland SC. A dashing run down the right side of the goal line by the Diablos right-winger resulted in a square pass and shot on goal by a Diablos striker. A failed clearance following the save resulted in a first-time volley at the top of the 18 by Diablos midfielder Anthony Powell, whose shot trickled into the net after coming off the post.

Cleveland SC’s defending was soon tightened up as they managed to deal with a high-pressing Diablos side for the rest of regular time. Just around the 30-minute mark, Cleveland was able to bring back a goal with an excellent display of individual talent from Corbin McAvinew. McAvinew, a left midfielder, found the ball at midfield and skated past three Diablos players before ripping the ball 25 yards out from the goal and sending it into the top right corner of the goal, leaving the Diablos goalkeeper, Carlos Enriquez, rooted to the spot. Eight minutes later, Cleveland was awarded a penalty for a tackle at the edge of the box which sent the two sides into halftime tied with two goals apiece.

Photo credit: Ric Kruszynski — Photo credit: **Ric Kruszynski**

The second half was an evenly matched 45-minute brawl that wound up scoreless. Emotions were flying though, as each team was shown three yellow cards for dangerous tackles. Soon the final whistle blew, and the teams were sent into extra time.

The first goal of extra time was drawn two minutes in and was a first-time finish after a streaking run into the box by Branden Cerda, resulting in a 3-2 lead for the Diablos. Their second goal was around the 100-minute mark and was a product of transition play from the Diablos. An interception in the Diablos’ defensive third was brought up the left side of the field before a sensational cross-field ball caught Trevor Amann on the foot, who then set it into the roof of the goal after shifting past his defender.

A consolation penalty kick was awarded to Cleveland for a handball in the 18-yard box just before the end of extra time which gave Admir Suljevic his second goal of the night from the spot. The game ended with a 4-3 win for the Denton Diablos over Cleveland SC and a punched ticket for the Texan team to the NPSL final.

- Jack Cisneros