Violette survives Austin FC charge to make more history

AUSTIN – Violette AC of Haiti survived a late charge from Austin FC to book their place in the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals after a 2-0 Austin FC win in the second leg of their Round of 16 series on Tuesday night at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

With the result, Violette emerged winners of the two-legged tie 3-2 on aggregate to become the first Haitian club to win a series in the SCCL era.

Austin FC came out very strong and had the Violette defense pegged back in their own half. The Haitians did not blink, though, and kept the Austin FC attack in check through the first half hour.

Austin FC started to find some holes in the Violette defense in the 35’ and a snapped header from Sebastian Driussi appeared goal bound, only for Violette GK Paul Robert Decius to make a diving save.

That was followed by headers from both Alex Ring and Driussi that went blazing wide in first half stoppage time.

Austin FC’s efforts would finally pay off handsomely in the 51’, as a pass from Emiliano Rigoni reached Driussi, who promptly volleyed into net to make it a 1-0 Austin FC lead in the game and 3-1 to Violette on aggregate.

The momentum was with the home side and Driussi would strike again in the 63’ by squeezing in a header past Decius to bring Austin FC to within 3-2 on aggregate and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Austin FC kept their foot on the gas and came achingly close to a spectacular goal from Owen Wolff on an overhead kick.

The chances kept coming, but Violette’s defense was up to the task and saw things out to the final whistle for the historical series win.