The Western Mass Pioneers celebrate after the game-winning penalty kick vs. Seacoast United. (David Henry)
The Western Mass Pioneers and the Seacoast United Phantoms faced off three times in the USL League Two regular season. Each team won one game, with the other match ending in a draw.
With the teams being so well-acquainted, it didn’t surprise Pioneers goalkeeper Blake Mullen that Saturday night’s Eastern Conference semifinal ended with penalty kicks.
“Playing them three times in the regular season, it felt from the beginning of the game that we were going to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Mullen said. “We kind of knew each other. I felt that it was going to come down to a stalemate, come down to penalties.”
