Reading Women Beat Keystone FC 3-1

Three first half goals set tone for win

Friday’s game could have been considered a “trap game” with several key players missing due to graduations and hectic summer schedules.  Keystone FC was looking to play the role of spoiler and three minutes into the game they appeared to be well on their way when a mixup by the Reading backline gifted Keystone FC’s Courtney Andruczk an open goal for a quick, albeit brief, 1-0 lead.  The lapse woke up the Reading team who showed their depth, and quickly responded.  In the 10th minute Ashley Lavrich continued her hot form when she placed a deftly balanced shot from the left side of the 18 yard box to the far post past a helpless Keystone FC GK to level the score 1-1.

Twelve minutes later Lavrich became the provider to her future Monmouth teammate Loren Gehret who finished coolly in the 22′ to stake Reading to a 2-1 lead.  Only four minutes later Sam Goffice opened up her Reading goal account with a calm finish from an instinctive Sophia Zeppos through ball to essentially ice the game with an hour left to play and a 3-1 lead.  While Reading held a narrow 5-4 advantage in shots the scoreboard told the story as the teams went into halftime.  

The second half featured a more direct, and open, approach from Keystone FC but the Reading backline stayed stout, led by Reading debutant (and Woman of the Match) Anna Buckwalter.  The Daniel Boone HS senior and Binghamton commit showed her poise as she helped keep a 2nd half clean sheet, including a fantastic defensive header off the line to help Reading see out the 3-1 win.  Reading took advantage of the liberal WPSL substitution rules to rotate players frequently and give ample playing time to their squad in the second half.  

The women’s team have a quick turnaround as they head on the road Sunday at 6PM to take on Hex FC Tempest.  They beat Tempest 3-0 two weeks ago in their home match on May 31.  The Reading women return home Saturday night June 22 at 7PM when they host Hershey FC.