FC Berlin added another unforgettable chapter to its growing legacy, stunning MASL-W powerhouse Cincinnati Sirens FC in a dramatic shootout after a pulsating 3–3 draw, fittingly played in front of a packed house of friends and family at the Scarborough Soccer Centre.

After a cagey, scoreless opening period, the visitors struck first just one minute into the second when the electric Angela Morales Rizo broke through the Berlin defence. The home side refused to wilt. Berlin poured forward with relentless pressure and found its equalizer when Samantha Murphy finished a perfectly weighted pass from league-leading scorer Ally Rowe. Momentum firmly swung Berlin’s way late in the half, as Murphy returned the favour, setting up Brianne Desa to put the hosts ahead.

The third period brought no goals, but plenty of drama. Goalkeepers Yazmeen Jamieson and Angel Hailey—who had replaced the equally sharp Taylor Spiller—stood tall amid a barrage of chances. Defensively, Bryanna Caldwell and the impressive 15-year-old Audrey Rhodis anchored their respective back lines, keeping the contest finely balanced.

Desa doubled her tally early in the fourth, pushing Berlin ahead 3–1 and sending the crowd into full voice. But Cincinnati wasn’t done. Morales Rizo struck again (remarkably assisted by her own goalkeeper) to cut the deficit, and the Sirens rolled the dice by pulling Hailey for an extra attacker. The gamble paid off when Natalie Oronoz smashed home a gorgeous volley with just a minute remaining, forcing overtime.

Neither side could find the winner in the extra frame, setting the stage for a heart-stopping shootout.

Cincinnati jumped ahead when Oronoz converted, and Hailey denied Murphy, but Jamieson answered with a save on Janaina Miknus. Hailey then stopped Desa, handing the Sirens a match point of sorts, only for Jamieson to rise again and deny Asha Vilaythong. With Berlin on the brink, Rowe calmly stepped up, danced past the keeper, and slotted home to keep the night alive.

MASL-W rules allowed Cincinnati to send Oronoz back to the spot, and once again, Jamieson (undeniably the player of the match) came up huge with her third straight save. That opened the door for Rowe to become the hero. Ice-cold under pressure, she repeated the trick, dribbling around Hailey and tapping in the winner before sprinting into a euphoric celebration with teammates, coaches, and a roaring crowd.

The shootout victory keeps FC Berlin second in the Great Lakes North Division with 14 points from seven matches as they continue their push toward the playoffs. Cincinnati remains second in the Great Lakes South Division as well.

Berlin will next face the Youngstown Nighthawks (date and time to be confirmed), while the Sirens head to Columbus for a Feb. 7 showdown with the Eagles.

Other Results:

• 31/Jan/2026: 512 FC (Austin) 1-6 RPFC (Dallas) (South Division)
• 31/Jan/2026: Iowa Raptors 2-15 KS Astras (Midwest Division)
• 31/Jan/2026: Indiana United FC 0-1 Detroit City FC (GL North Division)
• 31/Jan/2026: OKC Ghosts 2-13 ICT Aztecs (Wichita) (Heartland Division)
• 31/Jan/2026: Side FC Cyclones (OKC) 4-7 Wichita Lady Luck (Heartland Division)
• 31/Jan/2026: Houston Bolt 9-3 Houston Indoor Club (South Division)
• 31/Jan/2026: Süsserfuss Ballverein (Akron) 13-6 Columbus Eagles FC (GL South Division)
• 01/Feb/2026: Iowa Raptors 2-11 Iowa Demon Hawks (Midwest Division)
• 01/Feb/2026: Tulsa FC Channel Cats 9-8 Wichita Lady Luck (Heartland Division)
• 01/Feb/2026: Texas Lone Star SC (Dallas) 4-5 Houston Indoor Club (South Division)