From dramatic late finishes to key victories in the hunt for playoff places and homefield advantage, there was a lot to take in over the past weekend in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference. Here are five takeaways we got from the action.

LANCASTER’S WINNER GIVES LOUCITY SIGNATURE MOMENT

There have been a few good moments in Louisville City FC’s history at Lynn Family Stadium, but Saturday night’s remarkable 4-3 victory against Sporting Kansas City II might have been the first signature moment in the outstanding venue’s short history. Consider that it was the first time that LouCity had rallied to take victory at the stadium, and that it came in such dramatic fashion with the hosts first conceding twice to a pair of excellent goals from SKC II before rallying itself behind goals from Oscar Jimenez and Cameron Lancaster to claim victory in front of a wild supporters’ section at the Estopinal End, and it’s something that is unique in its claim.

“It’s hard to digest at the moment,” Lancaster said after his 94th-minute winner. “Honestly, it was a lot of emotion, and we shouldn’t have gone down the way that we did, but great belief from the guys to fight back. The goal was a bit of a blur because I saw the ball get to my foot and smashed it in. The rest is history.”

If there’s history to be made at Lynn Family Stadium, Lancaster is certainly near or at the top of the list to accomplish it. The English forward is the leading scorer in the club’s history and has scored 18 goals in 24 regular-season games at the club’s permanent home, more than double any other LouCity player. His two goals on Saturday night moved him to 17 for the season, but also put him marginally below a strike rate of a goal every 90 minutes for the campaign as well. There’s a remarkable group of players around him, but Lancaster keeps finding ways to stand out for his club, and in the league’s bigger picture.

INDEPENDENCE PUSH THROUGH, MIAMI hits a bump

The Charlotte Independence and Miami FC each faced teams that had been eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend, and while the Independence pushed through to take a 2-1 victory against a New York Red Bulls II side it had struggled against this campaign, Miami suffered defeat to a Loudoun United FC side it had recorded 10 goals against in three prior victories this season.

For Charlotte, the persistence of the attack led by Irvin Parra paid off eventually with two goals in two minutes midway through the second half to turn around a game that thanks to AJ Marcucci and his six-save performance – including a denial of Kevin Riascos from the penalty spot seven minutes into the second half – was starting to feel like it would be one of those nights for the hosts.

“The positives for us to take away are that we came back after conceding an own goal, and came back after missing a penalty kick,” said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “We found ways to win and that's huge. That is a great confidence boost for us against a team that has given us trouble over the years. I think those are things that we will build on. I credit the guys for their mentality to hang in after having a number of good chances that didn't go our way.”

For Miami, the inverse was true. Up a man and a goal thanks to Chris Cortez’s first in the club’s colors with 16 minutes to go, the visitors at Segra Field managed to let a place in the playoffs – at least for now – and a shot at second place – maybe more permanently – slip away. The concession of a penalty kick by Paco Craig that resulted in a red card, which is set to keep him out of next Saturday’s showdown with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and a terrible error that gave Loudoun’s Jovanny Bolivar a clear path to round Miami Connor Sparrow cost Miami three points it can’t really afford to drop. Credit, though, to the United side which while eliminated from contention looked to play at every opportunity and got rewarded after a tough season overall.

“I am just incredibly proud of the guys’ willingness to fight and come back,” said Loudoun Head Coach Ryan Martin. “I think in previous games when we went down a goal maybe the confidence went down a little bit, but I think today they just got stronger and kept plugging away. There was a tremendous response for some guys that maybe didn't have great games on the road in Charlotte to come back and do well today.”

VITIELLO STEPS UP IN KEY VICTORY FOR HOUNDS

Coming off a defeat in which it had led twice only to concede a late winner, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC was facing a potentially similar position early in the second half on Sunday night against the Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay Rowdies. While the hosts had largely had the better of the first half – a header off the crossbar by former Hound Steevan Dos Santos the only major scare for the side – and held the lead, the hosts had got caught out and conceded a penalty kick that gave the Rowdies a big chance to level.

But then goalkeeper Danny Vitiello stepped up and first denied Leo Fernandes’ shot to the right side and then did enough to put off Juan Tejada’s chance on the rebound that flew over the crossbar as the Hounds held onto their lead and ended up with a 2-0 victory to maintain their undefeated home record all-time against Tampa Bay.

“That was a big save by Danny. I think that gave us confidence to dig in,” said Hounds Head Coach Bob Lilley. “We talked all week about doing all the things we’d done well in the last few games, then finish the job. Sometimes you lose a tough game, you can lose confidence. I think our guys attacked the game. I’m proud of them for sticking with it.”

The Rowdies had already claimed the Atlantic Division title earlier in the day after Miami FC’s surprise defeat to Loudoun United FC at Segra Field, but Pittsburgh’s win put it in a position where a second-place finish is now up for grabs, with the Charlotte Independence also vying for the same spot. A return trip to Miami – and a chance to avenge its Week 24 defeat at FIU Stadium – is next for the Hounds on Saturday with the side’s confidence restored.

LEGION FC CONTINUES PURSUIT AS ELI CROGNALE STRIKES AGAIN

Louisville City FC’s victory was also essential for the Central Division leaders as they remain in what is currently the most competitive race for first place in the Championship. The win put the impetus on Birmingham Legion FC to follow with three points of their own on Sunday evening against Indy Eleven, a feat they accomplished thanks to another spectacular strike by Eli Crognale, which set up a 3-1 victory at BBVA Field. The younger of the brothers in Birmingham’s roster alongside center back Alex, Eli’s first two professional goals have both been spectacular, and difference-makers, with the first providing the game-winner on September 26 against the Charlotte Independence.

Add in an empty-net finish from Jake Rufe for his first professional goal after Indy goalkeeper Jordan Farr pushed up late for a corner kick as the visitors tried to level, and it was a positive day for the players Legion FC introduced off the bench to make an impact with the game all square at the break.

“I think all of them that came in did a really good job,” said Legion FC assistant Khano Smith. “Ben [Ofeimu] went in with specific instructions, Jaden [Servania] went in and it was his opportunity to prove himself and I think he did that tonight. Zach [Herivaux] gave his energy as well.

“I said this to you last time, [Eli] can shoot. I’m so, so happy for Jake Rufe. The guy deserves it. He shows up and works hard every day, he doesn’t complain, and he doesn’t moan. He’s a consummate professional and teammate. That moment couldn’t have happened to a better guy, he’s been through a lot, and he deserved that moment.”

BATTERY KEEP FIGHTING DESPITE LONG ODDS

The margin of error remains the same for the Charleston Battery after Sunday’s 4-3 victory against Hartford Athletic in front of what was a new attendance high of almost 4,000 fans at Patriots Points on Sunday afternoon, but thanks to a pair of goals by Nicque Daley and a pair of assists by Romario Piggott, the side will get to continue its pursuit of an 11th consecutive trip to the USL Championship Playoffs in its next outing.

“It’s great to be in the win column, three points at home with a great crowd, it was fantastic,” said Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. “We made it difficult though, letting them back in there with 10 guys. You have to give [Hartford] credit, but hanging on and getting three points, that’s huge for us and you never know what can happen from here.”

That next outing? Just one of the teams that the Battery are chasing in Southern Derby rival the Charlotte Independence next Saturday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Charleston may still be a longshot to reach the postseason, but it’s still going to get its money’s worth trying.