USL LEAGUE TWO: Persenico’s brace powers Peoria past FC Ambush in home opener

Dan Stickradt
5 days ago
2 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria City opened its 2025 USL League Two home campaign with a 3-1 victory over FC Ambush on Saturday night at Shea Stadium, led by a stellar two-goal performance from 2024 Heartland Division Player of the Year Luke Persenico.

The evening featured more than just soccer action. For the second consecutive year, Peoria City partnered with the Germantown Hills Athletic Association Fire & Rec to host First Responders Appreciation Night. Local first responders and their families received free admission, and the festivities included appearances from the Peoria Police Department — who brought their Bearcats armored vehicle, a motorcycle unit, and a t-shirt cannon — and the Peoria Fire Department, which showcased a fire engine.

On the pitch, Saturday’s contest marked the second meeting in as many weeks between Peoria City and FC Ambush. In the season opener on the road earlier this month, Peoria claimed a 2-1 win. The home meeting at Bradley’s Shea Stadium followed a similar script.

Peoria struck first in the 15th minute, courtesy of a flowing sequence from familiar faces. Bradley University teammates Charlie Dickerson and DJ Koulai combined after a clever through ball from Josh Reddy (Clarke University). Dickerson whipped in a cross from the right, and Koulai flicked it over the keeper to give the Carp a 1-0 lead.

The visitors responded just before halftime, scoring in stoppage time to level the match at 1-1 going into the break.

Peoria wasted no time regaining control in the second half. Just two minutes after the restart, Persenico pressed high, won the ball back, and beat two defenders before blasting home an unassisted strike to make it 2-1 in the 47th minute.

The Carp added a third in the 67th minute. Koulai again played provider, driving into the box before laying it off to debutant Henrik Boer (Western Michigan University). Boer took on a defender and sent a ball across the box, which Persenico rifled into the net for his second goal of the night.

The 3-1 win keeps Peoria perfect on the season at 2-0-0. Head Coach Mike Paye named Persenico the Prairie Home Alliance Man of the Match.

Peoria City hits the road for its next USL League Two match. PC will take on Springfield FC in Springfield, Illinois, on Saturday, May 31 — their first league matchup since the teams met twice in the inaugural Lincoln Cup last summer. Peoria won that first meeting in dominant fashion, a 10-0 rout, and later claimed the Cup on goal differential.

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