Energy Wins In Dramatic Fashion, Advances To Western Conference Finals

Wojciech Wojcik scored the game-tying goal and C.J. Cochran made two saves on penalty kicks to lift OKC Energy FC to a second-straight upset win in the USL Playoffs over San Antonio FC Saturday night at Toyota Field.

With San Antonio FC leading 1-0 in the 85th minute, Energy FC’s Jose Angulo sent a cross into the San Antonio box that Wojcik headed past San Antonio keeper Diego Restrepo to knot the match at a goal apiece.

After the final five minutes of regulation and an additional 30-minute overtime period, Cochran saved two of San Antonio’s three penalty kicks, and OKC kicked a perfect four-for-four in the penalties round. Angulo, Jonathan Brown, Kyle Hyland and Anthony Wallace each tallied goals against Restrepo, while Cochran denied kicks by San Antonio’s Ever Guzman and Michael Reed. Rafa Castillo tallied the lone penalty kick score for San Antonio. Energy FC won the penalties round 4-1.

Each team went more than 80 minutes without scoring on separate stretches in the match. San Antonio FC got on the board first in the seventh minute, when a shot by Cesar Elizondo from outside the OKC box deflected off Energy FC defender Mickey Daly and rolled past Cochran. San Antonio was held scoreless over the final 113 minutes of play.

The win marked the second time in three years Energy FC has reached the Western Conference Finals of the USL Playoffs. The last time, in 2015, OKC fell 2-1 to LA Galaxy II at Taft Stadium.

Energy FC next faces the MLS’ Sporting Kansas City affiliate, the Swope Park Rangers. The match is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. CDT start on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Mo.