Alun Webb's head was buzzing, as was the crowd inside Finley Stadium, after the Chattanooga Football Club striker ended a scoreless tie in the 46th minute as postseason play began Friday night.
Gabriel Torres hustled down the left sideline and floated a perfect cross, as he slid across the goal line, to Webb, who got on the back side of the defense and the Inter Nashville FC keeper for an easy header.
All the pent-up frustration from a red card allotted to Chattanooga FC's Mason Walsh was let out as the crowd of 3,092 erupted for what turned out to be the game-winning goal.
Despite being down a man the second half, Chattanooga advanced to the National Premier Soccer League Southeast Conference final with a 3-0 statement shutout of Inter Nashville. CFC will face Asheville City SC at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in search of its eighth conference tournament title.
"The crowd is unbelievable," Webb said. "It was difficult to lose a player like that. But we all rallied around one another. It was an unbelievable cross. I am not renowned for my headers. Gabby put in all the work, and I had to put it in. It was a great moment for everyone."
Everson Lima also provided a standout effort on the offensive end, and his deflected shot bounced right in front of the goal out of the defense's reach as CFC's leading scorer, Zeca Ferraz, came in to finish off for a 2-0 lead in the 51st minute.
Once again, the score provided chill bumps for those in blue in the crowd and on the field.
"That first goal was phenomenal, and the second goal might have been even louder," CFC coach Bill Elliott said. "Incredible support from Chattanooga fans. The energy in the stadium was just electric. Hopefully tomorrow night will be just as good and another moment to remember."
While the legend of former CFC keeper Greg Hartley remains, second-year starter Phil D'Amico provided brilliance of his own in goal.
In first-half stoppage time D'Amico came out of the net to race in front of an attacker and laid his body on the line to deflect a shot on target out of play. He also took a high-percentage possibility away in the 61st minute as the visitors could find no momentum at all.
CFC (8-2-1)ensured its spot in the conference final as second-half substitute Joao Costa flashed downfield and assisted Cameron Woodfin for the comfortable 3-0 lead in the 81st minute.
Asheville City SC (6-3-2) played more than 120 minutes of soccer as a score from captain Jamie Smith in the first of two 15-minute overtimes provided a 1-0 win over Greenville FC.
Saturday's match again is a do-or-die affair, with the winner advancing to the NPSL region semifinals.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.