June 12, 2026
By Real Central NJ
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – Real Central NJ lost 2-1 to a strong Love City FC on Tuesday night. The WPSL game, which saw each team earning spells of possession, was ultimately decided by the two goals that bookended the first half by the visitors.
The first goal came in the 8th minute from its initial set piece. Love City FC’s Reese Power’s corner kick found Natalie Kocsis to put Love City FC out front 1-0.
Real Central NJ responded immediately with a goal of its own in the 10th minute when Aditi Singh made a brilliant pass to Morgan Kotch in the box. After Kotch’s clinical finish Real Central NJ were back on level terms. But the joy lasted merely seconds. Kotch was deemed to be offside, and the home side were still a goal down.
Both teams traded spells of possession for the rest of the half with the edge favoring Love City FC. It was tough going up the middle of the park for both teams. Love City FC were able to break through lines a few times with strong linkup play to get players up field.
Still, chances were minimal. Real Central NJ had 1 in the first half and Love City FC managed only three, but two of those found the back of the net for the visitors.
Real Central NJ found trouble in the 45th minute of the half when they were called for a penalty in the 18-yard box. Love City FC’S Nicole Sweeney took a fine penalty shot into the top left of the net. There was no chance for Real Central NJ goalkeeper Makenzie Van Arsdale to stop the inevitable 2-0 lead for Love City FC going into the break.
The second half came to life in the 48th minute when Van Arsdale made a sprawling save on a shot by Jessica Castorina of Love City FC. The full-body extension effort earned a warm and deserved applause from the crowd.
Real Central NJ broke through in the 55th minute when Bella Miller was dragged down in the 18-yard box and a penalty was called. Morgan Kotch calmly completed the penalty kick in the 56th minute with a surgical strike that skipped off the artificial turf and into the left-side of the net.
The rest of the game was a back-and-forth affair with the chances and possession favoring Love City FC. Real Central NJ had a couple of looks at the goal from distance, like a long effort by Jenny Ward in the 72nd minute that missed. But Love City FC did a sturdy job of keeping the areas in front of the net shut tight. The visitors killed off the game effectively to seal the three points.
Love City FC, in their inaugural season in the WPSL, currently sit in first place in the Mid-Atlantic Conference - Colonial Division. They were impressive in earning their first road victory in the league.
Real Central NJ were not without positives from the loss. Player of the Match Allison Gilbert was an active presence all game. A standout moment for the University of Cincinnati player occurred in the 32nd minute. Love City FC were on the rush and in rhythm. They had breached the 18-yard box when Gilbert made a wonderful sliding tackle to repel the attack.
Real Central NJ will next play on Sunday, June 14, against FC Monmouth at home. The game kicks off at 7 pm and will be the WPSL East Region Match of the Week.
