July 5, 2026
WPSL 2026, Pennsylvania Classics (photo by Lynelle Leinbach)
By Andrew Mosier, WPSL Communications
It all came down to experience.
Entering the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship match, Commonwealth Division winners, Pennsylvania Classics, knew it had a considerable advantage over Colonial Division winners and Love City FC, having competed for a conference title last year.
So, when Classics went down a goal in just the seventh minute to an exuberant, skilled Love City side competing in its first WPSL season, Classics did not panic.
“Love City put a lot of pressure on us early. Even after they forced a turnover and got that early goal, we didn’t feel like we were in trouble. We have proved all season we can score goals. We knew if we remained sound defensively the goals would come,” Bill Becher, Pennsylvania Classics head coach, said.
And come they did.
Teagan Paragon leveled the score at 1-1 in the 20th minute, before Liza Suydam put Classics in the lead nine minutes before the halftime whistle.
Suydam's goal was her seventh of the season. She leads Classics in goals scored.
“With a goal or assist in every game she’s played, Liza Suydam has done a lot of the heavy lifting on the attacking end this year,” Becher said. “She’s been a very important player for us this year.”
Five minutes into the second half, Lia Francis made it 3-1 Classics with her second goal of the 2026 campaign. Lindsey Husic made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute, all but putting the game out of reach with her second goal of the season. A late Love City goal made it 4-2 but the result was never in question.
With the win, Pennsylvania Classics is set to host the East Region Playoffs.
“We came one game short of moving on to the finals last year, so hopefully we are able to take that next step this year,” Becher said.
It won’t be without its challenges though.
“With some players headed back to college, we are going to have to make some adjustments. But it isn’t anything every other team is dealing with. There is a lot of quality in our group. We just have to do what we’ve done all season: score goals and defend as a team,” Becher said.
Pennsylvania Classics hosts the East Region Playoffs at Lancaster Bible College July 11 and 12.
