Written By:   Mairead Forrest
​              East Region Contributor

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May 21st - Real Central NJ vs. Lehigh Valley Tempest (1-1)

The season opener involved a head-to-head clash between the two 2021 conference finalists who will be duking it out for Mid-Atlantic Conference gold this year. Real Central NJ started the match off strong with an impressively quick passing game, only for the Lehigh Valley Tempest to capitalize on its returning offensive prowess netting its second opportunity of the match in minute eight.

 

For most of the competition, it seemed the goal by Rylee Donaldson on an assist from Emily Banashefski would carry the Tempest to victory, but the flow of the match would influence the scoreline. While Tempest had five corners and the majority of the first half’s scoring opportunities, RCNJ would roar back to life in the second 45 with an impressive nine scoring chances.

 

In this set-piece heavy match, RCNJ finally capitalized on its momentum when Katie Sullivan scored off a corner from Emily Smith, one of nine total in the match between both teams, in the 82’ minute. The match would end at that scoreline, seemingly pitting these two heavyweights on equal footing until they meet again on Sunday, June 12th @ 6 PM at Mercer County College.

 

May 22nd - Hershey FC vs. Torch FC (3-2)

Torch FC kicked off by scoring first against Hershey FC during this midday season opener for both teams. The longest-standing club in the conference, Torch, netted its first opportunity in the 10’ minute of the match when Ella McQuaid scored unassisted.

 

Hershey wouldn’t stay quiet for long, though, scoring from a penalty kick resulting from its relentless counter. The half would end tied, but Justyce Hollenbach would follow her first-half goal by assisting Brooke Thomas before 10 mins had passed in the second half.

 

Hershey would score again in the 70’ minute with a goal by Lydia Gable from a Grace Hoffman assist, only for Torch to keep its hopes of leaving the field with at least a point alive by firing back in the 85’ minute. Unfortunately, the unassisted goal by Nicole Barham wouldn’t prove enough to spark enough momentum for Torch to break even, and although it battled until the last minute, the statistically-even match ended in a hard-fought victory for Hershey.

 

May 22nd - Real Central NJ vs. Fever SC (2-1)

Fresh off its tie the night prior, Real Central NJ traveled to take on Fever SC in its second conference match in just over 24 hours. RCNJ was lifted to a tight 2-1 victory on goals from Mackenzie Rodrigues and Bridgitte Bussiere. Fever SC’s first goal of the 2022 season, which came in its home opener, was scored by Nicole Palmer.

 

May 28th - Lehigh Valley Tempest vs. Torch FC (3-0)

 

Lehigh Valley Tempest notched a 3-0 victory versus Torch FC in its second match of the season. Ava Schaller, a rising Lehigh University Sophomore, had an impressive showing, netting two goals and an assist that resulted in the Tempest’s first goal, scored by Isabella Touzeau.

 

Schaller followed this with an unassisted goal of her own, and finally a second goal from a PK. These two goals would prove crucial and end up carrying the Tempest to a top-of-the-table finish at the close of the first month of the league, as goal differential proved the deciding factor between the club and RCNJ, who its tied with for points.

 

May 29th - PA Classics vs. Hershey FC (4-2)

If the club wanted to make its presence known early on as the Mid-Atlantic’s newest expansion team, PA Classics certainly succeeded with its performance in its home opener against Hershey FC. The fledgling WPSL newcomer charged out of the gate with a fury, scoring two goals within the first 10 minutes of play in their first-ever league match.

 

The first goal came in the 6’ minute when midfielder Julia Martin played the ball through the Hershey back line for Elizabeth Estrada to run onto and finish. Martin would capitalize on her own scoring chance after burying a one-time finish off a beautifully weighted cross from fellow midfielder, Makenzie Graham.

 

PA Classic maintained a relentless, high press in the attacking half for the majority of the first 45, resulting in another goal in the 20’ minute from Erin Greiner. Despite a tough first half, Hershey refused to go down without a fight netting back-to-back goals in the 72’ and 74’ minutes, both scored by Eva Stoessel.

 

Despite an impressive resurgence, it wasn’t enough for Hershey to reclaim the match, as Classics player Jessica Harpel would score the club’s fourth and final goal in the 84’ minute.