In what can be described as a thrilling final game, the NY Pancyprian Freedoms claimed the 2021/2022 championship of the Eastern Premier Soccer League Metropolitan Conference after a 4-2 overtime victory over Zum Schneider FC on Thursday, June 17th. Belson Stadium, at St. John’s University, erupted in joy with fans rushing the field as the referee blew the final whistle. This is the first Metropolitan conference title for the NYPF and the first for NYPF Head Coach Panos Onisforou.

NYPF Captain Andreas Chronis was a huge presence in the game with 2 confident penalty goals for his team in the second half of regular time, but a 91st minute of regular time goal by Zum Schneider forced the game into overtime level at 2-2 . Game in Frame called the the second Zum Schneider goal a “hammer blow” and asked NYPF Head Coach Panos Onisforou after the game how he responded to it during his team talk before the overtime. “When you have the experience of the players we have ,Holland, Nealis, Ledula, Chronis, with an abundance of experience you let them be, you don’t stifle them, “ said Onisiforou. “You show them you have faith and allow them to be themselves and carry the team.”

The go-ahead goal came in the 100th minute of the game from long time NYPF fan ‘favourite’ and forward Charlie Ledula. His goal sent the crowd alight with a goal celebration honoring the memory of the late George (Kokos) Andreou.

“We are the champions!” exclaimed Philip Christopher, President of the Pancyprian Association of America. “The spirit of George (Kokos) Andreou lifter our team to the overtime win, our next step is winning the EPSL finals.”

Christopher added, “In true Pancyprian tradition we’re back on top where we belong. Big thanks to the tremendous turnout. It’s fun to play and win in front of our fans. Very happy to see many of our past championship players in attendance.”

The game came be watched here on Game in Frame.

The NYPF will head to the EPSL League Finals on June 24-25th against the champions of the Northeast, Delaware River and Mid-Atlantic Conferences.