DES MOINES, Iowa — For a second straight playoff game, the Thunder Bay Chill were unable to keep hold of a late lead, but this time it ends their season.
The Chill gave up three goals after the 90th minute mark, falling 3-2 to the Des Moines Menace in their USL League Two second round showdown at Valley Stadium in the Iowa city on Sunday night.
Facing their long-time former Heartland Division rivals, with a spot in the Central Conference final at stake, Thunder Bay found a strong start in their quest to continue their playoff journey but weren't able to see it out.
After having a 23rd minute penalty kick from Hugo Tavares denied by Menace keeper Ryan Troutman, Thunder Bay went ahead just before the halftime break. Veteran striker Sullivan Silva played a beautiful ball through to fellow forward Elliot Cutts, who eluded Troutman to easily find the goal.
Perhaps mindful of the late lapse that allowed AFC Ann Arbor to storm to a three-goal comeback in their last time out, the Chill maintained solid defensive structure for most of the second half, with Menace chances few and far between.
But just after the clock ticked past 90 and into stoppage time, Des Moines found the one goal needed to extend the contest when Lagos Kunga unleashed a left-footed shot past Chill goalkeeper Nathanael Sallah.
Again forced to extra time after their gruelling win two days ago, the Thunder Bay side struggled to keep up with the Menace during the ensuing 30 minutes.
Des Moines notched the go-ahead goal in the 108th minute through substitute Leroy Enzugusi, who celebrated with an emphatic backflip, before finding insurance with a second from Kunga in the 115th minute.
Forward Jamie Wynne pulled Thunder Bay to within one, netting a penalty kick late in injury time, but that was as close as the visitors would get to an equalizer.
The Chill only conceded more than two goals twice in their entire campaign, but both occasions came in the playoff stage.
