WPSL Game Recap: Reading United AC 2 – 1 Hershey FC
It was another gorgeous summer evening at Alvernia University as RUAC’s WPSL 1st Team returned home to face off against Hershey FC, ultimately winning 2-1 and taking three vital points in the title race.
RUAC were roaring to start the match and came flying right out of the gates with two early chances. First, it was flashy midfielder Sophia Zeppos dropping her shoulder and driving left before laying the ball back to the top of the box for captain Anna Buckwalter, who caressed an inside of the foot shot that skimmed the top of the bar and went over. Second, it was winger Dulce Lytle who cut onto her preferred right foot and drilled a shot that forced a diving save from Hershey FC shotstopper Camryn Porter.
Nevertheless, Hershey FC were not going to let RUAC boss around proceedings. A misplaced clearance from RUAC’s inverted fullback Jaleah Gonzalez sprung Hershey’s attacker through, forcing RUAC’s Sarah Gatz out of goal as a sweeper to clear the ball. An early wake-up call for the hosts.
Minutes later after that scare, RUAC forced the ball into Hershey’s attacking third. A quick combination in midfield saw Lytle run in behind. Porter came off her line but caught Lytle’s trailing leg. A penalty for RUAC was given, and Zeppos stepped up and converted the penalty to the bottom right. Porter dove the wrong way.
Already with two massive chances including a goal, Zeppos was not done with her attacking prowess. Some good play on the wing by Lytle was dangerous, and a dragged-back ball was played to Zeppos outside the box. Without taking a touch, Zeppos picked up her head and whipped a curling strike from distance into the top right corner that left Porter grasping for air. One of the goals of the season for RUAC’s WPSL squad, and Zeppos’s reaction said it all, she couldn’t believe it.
At this point in the match, RUAC’s wingbacks Gonzalez and Ava Sallee switched sides, which allowed both sides to gain some chances. Shots by Sallee and Zeppos were challenging but never really offered any threat. Likewise, Hershey’s shots by Megan Ressler and Shayla Hasser were on target but comfortable for Gatz.
RUAC looked to be heading into the halftime break cruising with a 2-0 lead, but an inswinging corner by Hershey was dangerous and saw Buckwalter commit a two-handed push in the back. Winger and number 10 Ella Webb stepped up and drilled the penalty into the bottom left, getting Hershey on the board. Gatz got a hand to it, but it wasn’t enough. RUAC led 2-1 at halftime.
Unlike the first half, the second half started a bit sluggish, with both sides unable to hold constant possession. A scuffed shot by RUAC winger Ellie Leffler was the first real chance, coming in the 50th minute.
In the 53rd minute, RUAC’s Holly Skipper received the ball on the right flank and delivered a whipping cross that was met by the head of Zeppos for her hat trick. Unfortunately for RUAC, the offside flag was up on Zeppos. A really close decision.
Seeing her teammate lead the line, Gatz continued to play a vital role in anchoring the backline. Second half saves on Haley Midgley in the 58th minute and Rylee Fry in the 68th minute saw Gatz bring her save total to seven.
Tension started to rise as a late challenge from Hershey’s Cassidy Brunner saw herself get placed into the referee’s book.
In the 70th minute, RUAC looked to be through on goal. Leffler opened her hips on the right wing and shot, but was denied by a brilliant save from Porter. Minutes later, in the 78th minute, Leffler found space again, this time on the left flank. She drove toward goal and drilled a shot that sailed wide left.
In the last ten minutes, RUAC started to keep some numbers back to preserve the lead. RUAC, however, still produced some chances, including a dangerous cross by Becca Kotula, and shots from Skipper and Gonzalez.
Hershey FC, on the other hand, threw additional numbers forward, but RUAC’s backline held firm to hold on to a 2-1 win.
RUAC’s WPSL team next plays on Tuesday, June 23rd, when they travel to take on LVU Rush.
