July 2, 2026
WPSL 2026, Pennsylvania Classics (photo by Lynelle Leinbach
By Nichole Singleton, WPSL Communications
Pennsylvania Classics’ first unbeaten season in the WPSL was bookended by the home-and-away clash of the Keystone Cup Derby against backyard rivals Reading United A.C. It only made sense to cap off this thrilling season with the Classics winning 4-3 in the finale from a 90+ gamewinner to punch its ticket to the Mid-Atlantic Conference championship, with its second Commonwealth title in tow.
In its season opener, the Classics traveled to Reading and struck first with a goal from Elizabeth Estrada in the 46th minute before Reading United answered with two goals in 10 minutes. With the home side up by one as the game entered the closing ten minutes, Liza Suydam equalized in the 82nd minute to secure the hard-fought draw.
The two goals from Reading in the first game would be the Classics’ only allowed goals for its next five matches. This defensive dominance produced five shutouts to take the Classics into its final two matches outscoring its Commonwealth opponents 22 to two.
The Classics is equally as dangerous on the other end of the ball with an offense led by Suydam, Ashley Economopoulos, and Joey Devlin, who accounted for 17 of its total goals scored. Suydam and Economopoulos led the division as the top two scorers, helping the Classics average 3.67 goals per game.
In the return match of the derby, both Classics and Reading had division title hopes on the line with eyes set on the Mid-Atlantic Conference championship. Opening the scoring as she finished it in game one, Suydam got the Classics out front early in the opening minutes. The lead didn’t hold long before Reading equalized and the first half ended on cue with two sides deadlocked at one.
The second half ignited the barnburning chaos.
Economopoulos added to the scoresheet with goals in the 60th and 63rd minutes to give the Classics a two-goal advantage. But Reading still wasn’t done. The game would once again level after Reading tabbed two goals of its own in the 76th and 79th minutes.
Heading into familiar territory, the two Mid-Atlantic heavyweights battled it out in the closing 10 minutes, but it was Joey Devlin who gave the Classics its derby win and Commonwealth title, scoring in the 93rd minute.
“The final match with the division title on the line against Reading was a thrilling game. One of the best that we have witnessed since joining WPSL,” Doug Harris, Pennsylvania Classics president said. “Each team took its turn riding a wave of momentum for sure, just a wonderful and exciting match for both sides.”
The Classics have an opportunity to make a second playoff appearance, but will first have to go through Love City FC in the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship on Thursday before it can redeem its East Region Final exit from last season.
