West Chester United captures fourth straight EPSA Bill O’Neill Amateur Cup

A pair of overtime goals from Josh Luchini led West Chester United to their fourth straight Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association Bill O’Neill Amateur Cup championship on Sunday afternoon at Bryn Athyn College.

Luchini’s overtime brace completed a hat trick for the match for the former Lehigh University and Pitt striker and secured the 4-2 win over Colonial SC.

After a scoreless first half, Ridge Robinson opened the scoring in the 61st minute off a corner kick for West Chester but about 10 minutes later Colonial equalized off a set piece of their own with John Underwood getting the finish.

Luchini’s goal in the 80th off a lovely through ball from Tomas Ascoli put West Chester back in front but Colonial’s equalizer deep into stoppage time sent things to extra time. Colonial was dealt a blow early in the first overtime period when striker Carlos Dominguez Gonzalez was shown a second yellow. Luchini then worked his magic with a pair of goals in the 99th and 114th minutes to keep the trophy in West Chester’s possession.

Despite the loss, Colonial SC has also qualified for the Region 1 Amateur Cup, which kicks off in early April and ends with the final at Ukrainian American Sport Center in Horsham on June 14.

NY Pancyprian Freedoms are the defending Region 1 Amateur Cup champions.

A team from Eastern Pennsylvania last won the Region 1 Amateur Cup (earning a trip to the National Amateur Cup semifinals) when West Chester United won it in 2018. They advanced to the National Amateur Cup final that year, but fell to Bavarian SC in the final.