Cleveland Defeats Dallas, Stays Alive in MSL Playoffs

Rudy Pikuzinski scored three goals, and Zorn Karic had two, including the game-winner in overtime, to help the Cleveland Crunch defeat the Dallas Sidekicks, 8-7, Friday night in the Major Soccer League semifinals.

The Crunch, which avoided elimination from the playoffs, trails 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. The last four games of the series have been decided in overtime, with each team winning twice, setting an MSL record for most overtime games in a playoff series.

With 47 seconds gone in overtime, Karic took a restart pass from Kai Haaskivi and drilled a 30-foot shot past goalkeeper Hank Henry for the winning goal. It was Haaskivi’s third assist.

Dallas led 5-4 at the end of the first half on goals by Tatu, Richard Chinapoo, Troy Snyder, and two goals by David Doyle. Pikuzinski scored twice for the Crunch. George Fernandez and Tom Tanner each scored once.

Otto Orf replaced P.J. Johns as the Crunch goalkeeper in the second half, and the Crunch held Dallas scoreless in the third quarter.

Karic and Pikuzinski scored to give Cleveland a 6-5 lead at the end of three quarters. David Hoggan put the Crunch up 7-5 before Dallas rallied to tie the game in regulation on goals by Roderick Scott and Wes McLeod.

The teams return to Dallas for Game 6 on Sunday.