San Antonio Scorpions 2 New York Cosmos 1

In their second matchup in consecutive weeks, The New York Cosmos fell 2-1 to the San Antonio Scorpions in extra time of a North American Soccer League postseason semifinal Saturday night.

New York charged out in front via a 16th-minute far-post header from striker Mads Stokkelien, but Scorpions midfielder Rafael Castillo equalized less than three minutes later. San Antonio netted the match-winner in the 110th minute through a shot from midfielder Walter Restrepo that ricocheted off Cosmos captain Carlos Mendes and into the back of the net.

The Cosmos threatened early in the match. Stokkelien earned a free kick in the 10th minute, which would lead to a corner opportunity for fullback Hunter Freeman. Scorpions goalkeeper Josh Saunders was able to make a play on a teasing ball from New York fullback Ayoze, ending a chance for the Cosmos.

But Stokkelien nodded home six minutes later from the far post to make it 1-0 Cosmos. Ayoze notched the assist, charging into the box from the left side and chipping the ball over Saunders.

San Antonio drew even just three minutes later through Castillo, who took an initial shot from the left side of the Cosmos’ box that was saved by Maurer, but found the ball again for a rebound goal. Castillo put the shot past Maurer, and Ayoze narrowly missed clearing the ball off the line.

Scorpions captain and center back Adrian Cann went down on the pitch in the 29th minute, and was taken off the field a few minutes later. Josue Soto replaced him in the XI.

Cosmos winger Hagop Chirishian found himself unmarked in front of goal in the 43rd minute after a Cosmos set piece, but his shot went both over Saunders’ head and over the crossbar.

Cosmos midfielder Sebastián Guenzatti came on for Diomar Díaz to open the second half.

Scorpions forward Cesar Elizondo broke free in the right edge of the box and crossed left in the 52nd minute, but Maurer made a leaping save to stop the ball and eliminate the threat.

Ayoze orchestrated the Cosmos’ offense in the 65th minute, getting into a dangerous area and leaving the ball for Chirishian. The left winger found midfielder Marcos Senna, whose shot was blocked, and a rebound opportunity for Ayoze was saved by Saunders.

Mendes fouled substitute Scorpions forward Giuseppe Gentile a step outside the right edge of the 18-yard box in the 76th minute. Maurer was up to the challenge again for the Cosmos, and the free kick ended in a goal kick for New York.

Scorpions defender Stephen DeRoux was shown a yellow card for a strong challenge of Freeman in the 83rd minute. Senna stepped up to take a free kick near the right sideline, and Saunders cradled the ball and smothered it for the save.

Both sides battled for possession near midfield as time wound down in regulation, but neither was able to mount a significant attack to end the match. Guenzatti earned a throw-in for the Cosmos deep in the Scorpions’ half, but Senna’s attempt to cross was turned away from the Scorpions defense to end the second half at 1-1.

Cosmos forward and former Scorpion Hans Denissen checked in for midfielder Joseph Nane in the 97th minute of the match. He played a high cross right-to-left across San Antonio’s goal a few minutes later, but no teammate was there to connect with the pass.

Stokkelien had a golden chance at putting the Cosmos up 2-1 to start the second period of extra time. A few Scorpions defenders thought he was offside, but the flag remained down, and Stokkelien’s shot from deep in the left side of the box went past Saunders and wide right.

Restrepo put the Scorpions up 2-1 in the 110th minute. Maurer made the initial save of his attempt, but the ball then ricocheted off Mendes, past Maurer and into goal.

Denissen beat Saunders on a shot from the right edge of the box two minutes later, but his rolling attempt was just left of goal.

New York was the aggressor for the final minutes of the match. Ayoze drew a foul on Scorpions forward Billy Forbes five yards outside the box, setting up Senna for a free kick in the 119th minute. His strike was on frame, but tipped high of goal by Saunders. Freeman’s ensuing corner couldn’t find a Cosmos player and rolled out of play.

The Cosmos earned one last corner kick, but Freeman’s attempt was headed away and the whistle sounded.

The Scorpions will advance to The Championship Final next weekend. Minnesota United FC, the top seed in the NASL postseason, fell 2-1 in penalty kicks to the fourth-seeded Fort Lauderdale Strikers in Minnesota earlier Saturday evening. The Scorpions will host the Strikers next weekend with the 2014 Soccer Bowl Trophy on the line.