Amateur
Donzo last gasp winner gives West Chester United sixth straight EPSA Amateur Cup
Funsia Donzo is no stranger to scoring big goals on big stages as he showed last summer with the game-winning goal that captured the National Presidents Cup trophy for Lower Merion SC, but his last gasp winner for West Chester United on Friday night was a new twist on the promising teenager’s career arc.
After conceding early, West Chester United scored three times in the first half to put rivals Vereinigung Erzgebirge at bay but as has often been the case in the storied local amateur rivalry, VE didn’t go quietly.
With a mix of attacking prowess from Justin Ruth, Bobby Hennessey and a little bit of fortune, VE found a way back into the match and was inches away from taking a 4-3 lead through Ruth before Donzo found space for himself on the left flank in front of his bench and froze the goalkeeper with a stab toward goal that he tucked into the lower right-hand corner.
“I knew I had to come on and make a difference,” Donzo said post-celebration. “It was a little hard at the start, first few touches weren’t the best, but I’m just happy I ended up scoring the winner. I’m very excited.”
Friday’s match at Bryn Athyn College was the third attempt to play the Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association Bill O’Neill Amateur Cup final after weather postponed it twice. That it ended up falling just before West Chester’s U.S. Open Cup rematch with Loudoun United on Tuesday night at YSC Sports and 9 days before another cup final against VE – Sunday’s EPSA Open Cup final – may have been to VE’s advantage but West Chester’s deep player pool and fitness remains a strength.
Even with several players from last year’s National Amateur Cup title run gone to the professional level, there remains a potent mix of experience and youthful exuberance. Prior to Donzo’s goal much of the communication from his veteran teammates and the sidelines was about what he needed to do differently in the game and in the end his ability to adapt to that instruction paid off.
“It’s his first big moment for our club and I hope there’s many more to come,” Captain Ridge Robinson said.
Robinson was instrumental as usual with the quick equalizer after Carter Houlihan’s opening salvo and stalwart John Austin Ricks helped build the lead while regulars like Luca Mellor, Owen Slack and returning star Troy Amspacher battled in a scrappy game that at times resembled more of a backyard brawl amongst friends and neighbors than a soccer match.
Mason Miller, always such a steady presence for West Chester, was a recipient of the referee’s attempts to calm the game down when he was shown a second yellow for a foul at midfield at the hour mark. Miller’s untimely exit forced a change of game plan for the Predators and opened the door for VE to find a winner that proved elusive despite some promising looks from Ruth (who had the equalizer), Hennessey and Kevin Smolyn, who was in on goal but denied by a good play from West Chester goalkeeper Tino Kneiss on the doorstep.
Donzo’s goal was in the fifth minute of stoppage time and was the final play of the match, leaving a bitter pill for a VE team that will get a shot at a rematch Sunday at noon back at Bryn Athyn.
Funsia Donzo with the winner at the death!
West Chester wins EPSA Amateur Final. pic.twitter.com/d5DoJ0SPc0
— Backyard Pitches (@BackyardPitches) March 14, 2026
