WPSL Game Recap: Reading United AC 2 – 2 PA Classics
On Saturday, May 30th, Reading United AC and PA Classics faced off in a fiery showdown in the WPSL, playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first-ever meeting of the highly anticipated Keystone Derby.
Under beautiful summer skies, with fireworks flashing in the background, RUAC and PA Classics kicked off to a roaring crowd. Expectations were high and the tension palpable as the home fans eagerly awaited what Reading United could deliver. The opening fifteen minutes, however, were back and forth, with both sides cautiously getting used to their opponent’s style of play.
In the fourth minute, crafty winger Ellie Leffler burst to the byline and whipped a dangerous cross into the box. The ball, however, was just too high for any attacker to connect with it. The chance was created by PA Classics’ fullbacks — Jenna Daveler and Lindsey Husic — caught high up the field out of position and exposed in behind on a counterattack. Aware of Leffler’s dynamism in attack, PA Classics dropped their defensive line, which allowed RUAC captain Anna Buckwalter to settle into her holding midfielder role and begin dictating play from deep.
The breakthrough finally came in first-half stoppage time. PA Classics’ Elizabeth Estrada — arguably the most dangerous player on the field in the first half — pounced on a misplayed clearance and lashed a venomous half-volley into the bottom left corner.
Down 0-1 in an important first leg of the Keystone Derby, RUAC came out of the locker rooms with a point to prove. They didn’t wait long. In the 49th minute, Buckwalter’s back-post corner was met by an unmarked Annie McCaffrey, who powered a header into the top right corner to level the match.
The game was opening up now. The ever-dangerous Estrada led a three-on-two charge at the Reading backline, threading a cross to a wide-open Liza Suydam, who could only trickle her shot wide right. A big chance squandered for the visitors. Minutes later, Suydam got another opportunity, only to be denied by a brilliant diving save from RUAC goalkeeper Sarah Gatz.
With the game tied 1-1, margins became razor-thin. Both teams pressed for the go-ahead goal, but it was RUAC who broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion — Buckwalter delivering another inviting corner, and McCaffrey rising highest once more to blast a powerful header into the roof of the net. Oozing with confidence, RUAC surged for the all-important third goal, but PA Classics were able to avoid the press and create some chances of their own. In the 75th minute, Gatz was called upon to pounce on a loose ball inside the eighteen. In the 81st minute, however, Gatz could only look on as a deft turn of the hips and a quick shot by Suydam finds its way into the bottom left corner.
In a hard-fought 2-2 draw to open the Keystone Derby, Reading United showed plenty of fight to mount what turned out to be a short-lived comeback. Sarah Gatz was commanding in net all night, while Annie McCaffrey proved a constant threat on set pieces. In fact, the pair earned co-Player of the Game honors.
RUAC return to home action on Wednesday, June 3rd, taking on Keystone FC in their next WPSL fixture.
