RECAP: METROPLITAN CONFERENCE ROUNDUP

Written By: Ryan Wood | WPSL Correspondent

The Metropolitan Conference saw eight games played and one team emerged at the top of the table with a pair of tightly contested draws after another week of conference play heading down the stretch of the regular-season schedule.

Downtown United Soccer Club entered this week atop the conference standings with a 5-0-2 mark (17 points) – still riding its two-year unbeaten streak. A 3-0 win over New York Dutch Lions FC was followed up with a 1-1 draw with Brooklyn City F.C. a day later. Then, on the weekend, DUSC beat New York Athletic Club, 2-1, and tied a surging STA side, 1-1.

“This past week, we had a heavy schedule with a lot of games and were able to get some great results against competitive opponents,” Tara Heatley, Downtown United Soccer Club coach, said.

Makenzie Rodrigues (Rider) scored two goals, while Kat Jordan (Columbia) tallied a goal and an assist in the win over the Dutch Lions – a game that also saw Kelsey Burr (Southern Connecticut State) and Ambrosier Mitchell (St. Francis College) add one assist each.

The following day, DUSC’s lone goal came early from Rodrigues in the 10’ minute Kayla Mushorn (Adelphi) equalized for Brooklyn City FC to secure the 1-1 draw.

Rodrigues notched her third goal in as many games when she scored in the 1-1 draw with second-place STA (4-1-1, 13 points). Meanwhile, Jordan and Tessa Weiss (Vermont) scored once each in the win over NYAC.

“In our attack, Makenzie Rodrigues has been a dynamic player for us, scoring eight goals in seven games,” said Heatley, who also had plenty of praise for DUSC’s defenders, which have allowed just three goals in seven games. “Lawson Renie (Tennessee) and Natalie Turner Wyatt (Williams) have been great for us defensively, leading our backline.”

STA went 1-0-1 on the week. In addition to its 1-1 draw against DUSC, STA beat Brooklyn City F.C., 3-1, on the road. Sofia Black (Indiana), Jamie Irwin (New Hampshire), and Maddison Perna (Monmouth) were the goal scorers, while Sydney Masur (Indiana) had one assist. Ashley Blaka (Holy Cross) and Lorna MacFarlane (Dartmouth) scored for Brooklyn City F.C. Emerson Elgin (North Carolina) scored the game-tying goal against DUSC.

“Great energy from the start resulted in two early goals in the away game at Brooklyn City F.C. and set us up for an important win on Saturday,” Ylan Krauweel, STA coach, said. “We had great patience in our possession and a great overall team performance.”

The match STA needed to win in order to dethrone conference leaders DUSC came on Saturday, but that game was halted early due to severe weather. It ended in a 1-1 draw, a match STA pulled level after going down early.

“In a great matchup, we struggled with the quick transition from DUSC in the first part of the first half and conceded a DUSC-deserved goal,” Krauweel said. “With some changes, we were able to change the momentum of the game and scored the equalizer and created chances to score more goals before the half-time whistle.”

New York Athletic Club continued its consistency as a threat in the conference by picking up a 2-0 win over SUSA FC, one day after getting edged by DUSC, 2-1. Belle Golden (Yale) and Carolyne Davidson (Princeton) scored in the win while Ruby Hogue got the goal against DUSC.

“The team has been doing very well and showing tremendous grit,” Juan Gatti, New York Athletic Club coach, said. “They have progressed a lot this season and we look forward to closing out strong against STA at home. Our players are developing tremendously, and we hope to continue working together after the season is over.”

Perhaps the hottest team in the Metropolitan Conference as of late – New York Dutch Lions FC – closed out its 2023 WPSL season by going 2-1 on the week and finishing with a 3-4-1 record after having gone winless a year ago.

Following a 3-0 loss to league-leaders DUSC, New York Dutch Lions FC beat NJ Wizards SC, 1-0, both on Saturday and Sunday. Katelyn Herbert (Eastern Connecticut State) scored both game-winners, while Malaysian star Intan Serah tallied an assist.

The Metropolitan Conference returns to action Tuesday night with Brooklyn City F.C. hosting SUSA FC. On Thursday night, Brooklyn City F.C. can play spoilers as it attempts to knock off Downtown United Soccer Club at Aviator Sports Complex, while down the road in New Jersey, the NJ Wizards SC host interstate rivals STA.

On the weekend, New York Athletic Club hosts STA on Saturday, July 1, and on Sunday, July 2, regular season conference play concludes with SUSA FC welcoming NJ Wizards SC to SUSA Orlin and Cohen Sports Complex.