READING, PA (14 June 2024) – Reading United AC claimed an important victory over USL League 2 Mid-Atlantic Division rival West Chester United, rallying from behind to score a massive 4-3 win in a tense, back-and-forth match at Alvernia University Stadium. Dominik Topolsky‘s two second-half goals, including his game-winning strike in the 95th minute, powered Reading United’s comeback and helped the club avenge an early-season 2-1 setback at West Chester.

Reading United opened the scoring in the game’s 11th minute when Jaylen Orr tallied to stake the hosts to a 1-0 lead. The forward from Gardner Webb University outmuscled his marker and volleyed a well placed cross from midfielder Jack McDaid past West Chester goalkeeper Eric Axtman.

Moments later, Reading United’s leading goalscorer Sam Hershey found the back of the net for his fifth goal of the 2024 campaign in the game’s 15th minute. Defender Eamon McLaughlin started the attacking move with a pinpoint cross from the right wing that found Orr in the middle of the West Chester penalty area. Orr saw his effort blocked by Axtman but Hershey was in the right place at the right time to double Reading United’s lead to 2-0.

West Chester would not go away quietly as they climbed back into the match with a goal in the 22nd minute. Patrick CayelliI broke into the Reading United penalty area and fired a shot that just slipped past Reading goalkeeper Kieran Brown and nestled into the side netting to make it 2-1.

Four minutes later, West Chester would find an equalizer as Cayelli scored his second goal of the evening, getting behind the Reading defense and firing home to square the game at 2-2.

With the momentum, West Chester came out in the second half and battered the Reading United defense. Kieran Brown made several clutch stops to keep the score level at 2-2. It took a phenomenal effort to finally get a goal past Reading's in-form goalkeeper.

West Chester forward Kenneth Roby unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot from the top of the 18 yard box that zipped just under the crossbar to give the visitors a 3-2 lead in the 65th minute.

The goal spurred Reading United head coach Casey Moore to deploy substitutes Gianpaolo Nardi and Dominik Topolsky in the 66th minute. The move paid dividends for United as Nardy and Topolski combined on Reading's equalizer in the 75th minute.

Nardi charged into the West Chester penalty area from the left channel, playing a square ball to Sora Noda. Noda deftly turned the cross on goal only to see it blocked by Axtman. The rebound made its way to Topolsky who made no mistake from close range to level the score at 3-3.

With the wind in their sails, Reading United heaped unrelenting pressure on the visitors. Reading’s close neighbors held the hosts at bay as the game headed to stoppage time. With the match appearing to be headed for a stalemate, the clock ticked into the final minute of second-half stoppage time.

In the 95th minute, Reading United substitute Zach Gardner picked off a West Chester throw-in and played a looping ball to Sam Hershey. Reading's hitman held off two defenders and knocked the ball on to Modou Faye. Faye then played a smart diagonal pass out wide to Nardi, who picked up his head and spotted the darting run of Topolsky. With the West Chester goalkeeper stranded, Topolsky slotted the ball into the back of the net giving Reading United a 4–3 lead with just seconds to play.
 
West Chester staged one final last gasp charge up the field, forcing Kieran Brown into one final heroic save to preserve the 4–3 victory for Reading United.

The win was Reading’s fourth of the season and saw them move to within one point of West Chester United, who currently sit in second place in the ultra competitive Mid-Atlantic Division.

The Reading United men hit the road for matches against Philly Lone Star and Lehigh Valley United before returning to the friendly confines of Alvernia University Stadium for a rematch against Real Central New Jersey on Saturday, June 29th. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm.  

Due to the power outage AND weather that preceded the game.  The traditional Cancer Awareness Night Jersey Auction is postponed to the June 29th game.  Be sure to attend the game to bid on the game worn pink jerseys with all profits donated to St. Luke's Cancer Compassion Fund.

St. Luke’s Cancer Compassion Fund helps alleviate the financial burden for patients who are struggling to afford everyday living expenses during their cancer journey, allowing them to focus on what’s most important: healing. 100% of funds go directly to supporting patients and their families who are financially impacted during treatment.