July 5, 2026
WPSL 2026, CT Rush (photo by CT Rush)
By Andrew Mosier, WPSL Communications
A draw was all CT Rush needed to win the Northeastern Conference title entering the final game of conference play on Thursday.
But there was a very daunting obstacle standing in the way: defending WPSL champions, Sporting CT.
Entering the match, Rush clung to first place in what proved to be one of the most difficult conferences in the entire WPSL by a single point, with RI Rogues FC a point back in second and Sporting in third place with 19 points.
CT Rush got to this point thanks to what head coach Tom Newel called a complete squad effort.
“We used 31 players across the eight games. Every single player contributed to the team’s success,” he said.”
Playing in its first WPSL season, CT Rush faced fellow league debutants, Vale SC in New Haven to open the season. After going a goal down, Rush scored a pair of unanswered goals, which included the game winner just past the hour mark by Jillian Gregoski, who would go on to lead the club with six goals.
Four consecutive shutout wins versus RI Rogues FC and Vermont Wild FC at home and Albany Rush and Inter CT FC put the rest of the conference on alert.
It wasn’t until the final match day of Week Seven that CT Rush dropped points, playing Merrimack Valley Hawks FC to a 2-2 draw in Nashua, N.H. Rush responded a week later, playing Inter CT FC to a 5-1 win at home before facing the defending conference and league champs for the first time of the season on the road in Middletown.
For only the second time all season—and the first time since the season opener—CT Rush had to chase the game after the timeless Tiffany Weimer put Sporting up 1-0 in the 35th minute.
Ari Mullen equalized for Rush a minute before the halftime whistle with an incredible individual effort after Mullen won the ball near the center circle. Mullen’s spin move to get out of trouble put her in on goal where she deftly lobbed the ball with her left foot to the far post.
“That was one of the best individual goals I have seen in a long time,” Newel said. “We have had players step up in crucial moments all season. We can’t wait to test ourselves at the regional playoffs next week.”
CT Rush now looks to the East Region Playoffs and will find out its first opponent Tuesday, July 7 during the league's official bracket release.
