It's not how you start, it's how you finish! That has certainly been the case for Med City FC this season. After a slow start to its 2023 NPSL campaign, the Mayhem have hit their stride at the right time.
That became clear Saturday night as Med City FC traveled up to top seeded and undefeated Duluth FC for the National Premier Soccer League north conference title game.
The Mayhem went in with a lot of confidence despite being the #3 seed, having been on an eight game unbeaten run of their own since a 1-0 loss in Duluth in late May, and having traveled to Fargo on Wednesday night and handing #2 seed Dakota Fusion FC a 2-0 loss in the conference semifinals.
And they carried that confidence with them in a wild, exciting match last night. Both teams battled for superiority in the first half of a tightly officiated match. Eventually, it would be Duluth who would score first, in first half added time, and the Bluegreens would take a 1-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The second half was a different story, however. Med City FC tied the game at 1-1 on a Tristan Jumeau penalty kick. And as the half continued, Duluth FC would have two players sent off for yellow card accumulation. Despite the advantage, the Mayhem couldn't find the back of the net, and the game went into overtime.
The Mayhem were menacing throughout the overtime periods, hitting the post and the crossbar with shots, but unable to end the contest. Then, finally, midway through the second overtime, Med City 's Ricardo Schroeder broke the deadlock and made the score 2-1.
Duluth would have a third player sent off and they finished the game with eight players on the field.
With the win, Med City FC claims back-to-back NPSL north conference titles, having also claimed the trophy in 2022.
Up next for the Mayhem will be a match with the midwest region's top seed, Steel City FC out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Des Moines, Iowa. That match will take place this Friday, July 21 at 4 pm. Should the Mayhem win that match, they would play in the regional final at 7 pm Saturday, July 22.