SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS, Dominican Republic (CMC) — Goalkeeper Steve Sanon was the hero for Haitian club Violette on Sunday night when his decisive saves helped them edge out host side Cibao FC 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out to become winners of the 2022 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship.

Sanon’s heroics which came after a 0-0 draw not only secured the crown for Violette but also earned them a coveted place in the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.

It was an even start between the two sides at Estadio Cibao FC but things tilted in Cibao’s favour in the 21st minute when Violette defender Renato Lambert was sent off with a second yellow card, reducing the Haitians to 10 men with 79 minutes to play.

Despite the disadvantage, Violette were getting forward and it took a big stop from Cibao goalkeeper Miguel Lloyd to deny Roberto Louima in the 33rd minute.

At the other end, there were two chances for Cibao prior to the half-time whistle – first on a header that required a goal line clearance in the 35th minute, followed by another goal line clearance from Wendy St. Felix on Yohan Parra in first-half stoppage time.

The stalemate continued into the second half, with Cibao on the front foot and peppering the Violette goal, but nothing that Sanon could not handle.

Violette remained a threat on the counter-attack, however, and a swerving hard hit from Louima in the 81st minute flew just over the crossbar.

A goal was not to be had at the end of 90 minutes, however, so the teams went into extra time.

The first big chance in the extra frame went Cibao’s way, with Herold Charles guiding a header just wide in the 101st minute followed by Christian Alba Nievas being unable to get off a clean shot in front of goal with just Sanon to beat in the 114th.

No winner could be found in extra time either so it all came down to penalty kicks during which Sanon stood tall, saving Cibao’s final two attempts to clinch the 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory.