NSC Minnesota eliminated FC Tampa Bay from the NASL quarterfinals, 1-0, on a first-half deflection that snaked past keeper Jeff Atinella.
"Sometimes you need a little bit of lady luck to go your way. I felt we were right out of it tonight," FC Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill said.
FC Tampa Bay started slow and was kept in its zone for much of the first half. Some early contact with the NSC Minnesota Stars led to referee whistles. After missing an early free kick, NSC would get another chance. FC Tampa Bay was unlucky again after some contact led to a free kick at the top left corner of the box.
The Stars' Luke Mulholland scored the winning goal from 18 yards out in the 29th minute off a free kick, capping a hot start by the sixth-seeded team. Mulholland's shot was a low liner that bounded through the initial defense but deflected off the three-man wall. Atinella went right before the bounce and the ball went to his open left side.
"Jeff was wrong-footed because of the deflection. That's how thin a line between success and failure is," Hill said.
Speedy FC Tampa Bay forward Pascal Millien worked his way close on a couple of occasions but could not get much room after the Stars loaded the box.
"We missed our opportunities and made one mistake. That's how the game plays. You have to put your chances away," FC Tampa Bay captain Frankie Sanfilippo said.
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