Andrew Rick and CJ Olney filled tough situations to send Philadelphia Union II to a shootout victory over Crown Legacy FC on Saturday night.

The home duo put in standout performances after the two teams finished tied 1-1 after 120 minutes. Rick made two saves in the five rounds, while Olney converted from the spot in the final round to secure another home match at Subaru Park.

Union II opened the scoring in the first half with a corner kick combination from CJ Olney to Olwethu Makhanya in the 28th minute. Crown Legacy FC responded and forced the match into overtime with a goal from substitute Dylan Sing in the 88th minute.

The victory allows Philadelphia Union II to advance to its first MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Final with the contest taking place on Saturday, November 2 at Subaru Park. Start time and opponent information will be announced at the conclusion of the playoff round, but tickets are available on sale now.

It was an emotional day at Subaru Park as the club honored the memory of goalkeeper Holden Trent, who passed away at the age of 25 before kick-off with his jersey in the starting lineup photo. The focus then turned to the beautiful game Holden loved with a picture-perfect evening at Subaru Park with fans cheering on the Boys in Blue. On the other hand, visitors from North Carolina were looking to take down another high seed for the second weekend in a row and nearly scored the first goal with an Idan Giorno header that was denied by a flying save from Andrew Rick. Three minutes after the big stop, Crown Legacy returned to the attack with a quick and powerful attack down the left side that found its way into the trunk of Cameron Duke. Looking to connect with Giorno in front of goal, the former Sporting Kansas City local player’s ball was a mix between a cross and a shot, and the ball ultimately crashed into the far post and went wide.

Union II grew in the match after back-to-back scares from the visiting team, with the Eastern Conference’s youngest team getting a big look in the 26th minute when Cavan Sullivan lofted a pass to Gavin Wetzel on the right. The Union Academy defender launched a cross for top scorer Eddy Davis III, but the goalkeeper deflected the attempt out of the air.

The first corner of the game was fruitful for head coach Marlon LeBlanc’s team, as the hero of Union II’s first playoff game once again provided a highlight reel. Olney got a pinpoint cross right as he found Olwethu Makhanya inside the six to score.

With another one goal lead in front of the home crowd, Unión II looked to extend their lead at halftime with a change of pace by inserting Sal Olivas for Markus Anderson. Philadelphia almost scored just after the hour mark on a David Vazquez free kick that was somehow denied by a diving save from Chituru Odunze.

Unión II made a tactical change in ’67^th minute when Carlos Rojas replaced Sullivan and with him came a change from the 4-4-2 to the 4-2-2-2 diamond with the new substitute alongside Pariano leading the defense.

Crown Legacy forced the game into overtime under the Subaru Park lights when Nicholas Scardina sent in a cross from the right side for Dylan Sing to finish from close range.

During both 15-minute extra periods, neither team was able to break the deadlock with Neil Pierre connecting with a long pass to set up a José Riasco header in the 116th minute.^th minute, being the only scoring opportunity for both teams.

In the penalty shootout, both teams scored in the first round before Crown Legacy took the lead in the second round after making a save. Rick responded on the next attempt with a diving rebound to his right that was followed up with a goal from Makhanya. Both teams converted in the fourth round before Rick headed to his left to stop Tyger Smalls and then set up the game-winning finish for the second straight weekend for Olney.