Union Academy grad Jahmali Waite saves three in PK shootout to lead FDU to conference final

Philadelphia Union Academy grad Jahmali Waite had himself a day in the Northeast Conference semifinal on Friday afternoon in Loretto, Pa.

After making seven saves through a scoreless 120 minutes, Waite, a Jamaica native who played for Reading United last summer, stepped up and made three saves in the penalty shootout to seal Fairleigh Dickinson’s upset over top-seeded Saint Francis.

He clinched the PK shootout win with a save on Holland, Pa. native and former FC Delco midfielder Kevin Smolyn’s spot kick.

“I just went (into the PK shootout) knowing that if our team’s going to win this game it’s gotta be up to me,” Waite said in a post-game interview. “Beating a No. 1 seed in the playoff on their home field is never easy and we’re just going to rest and get ready, prepare for LIU on Sunday.”

FDU (7-8-2) play LIU in Loretto on Sunday at 1 p.m. with a NCAA Tournament berth on the line.