Arsenal win a shootout
The EW PAL U12 Girls Arsenal had been preparing for their two elimination games all week, and all their hard work paid off in these games.
First they faced their rivals Manalapan Xtreme in a MOSA Cup Quarterfinal game and came out winners. Goals by Rachael Charsky, Angelina Benitez, and Lola Huang on an assist from Alayna Giampolo in the first half looked to be enough, but Manalapan fought back and tied the game by the end of regulation.
So, the game was to be decided by a penalty shootout. Charsky, Benitez, Charlotte Garcia, and Abby Carter scored for Arsenal and Charsky stopped two Manalapan shots in goal to seal the victory. Arsenal will play Marlboro in the Semifinals.
Arsenal wear down Wildcats
After one day’s rest, Arsenal played a home NJ State Cup Game vs. the Hamilton Wildcats. Playing against a much bigger team, Arsenal used their precise passing game to wear down the Hamilton defense.
Rachael Charsky scored from a direct free kick from 25 yards out after Megan Khazem was fouled. Angelina Benitez scored three goals on assists from Anna Zappola and Allie Szelag. Elise Price and Nishan Pannu kept the offensive pressure in the second half in front of goalkeepers Radha Ghate and Tanya Augenbaugh.
Arsenal will play their Quarterfinal NJ State Cup game home vs. Medford SC United.
Thunder rumble past Monmouth
The EW PAL U14 Girls Thunder kept pace at the top of MOSA Premier Division with a 5-0 win over Battle of Monmouth.
The game was decided early on with four first half goals. Karly McKenna drove home two goals before Teresa Alison, Izzy del Toro, and Anna Radigan each scored. Assists by Isabella Benitez, Lara Koppel and Emilia Vallejos helped the Thunder offensive attack. Bella Cammarata, Mia Huang, Calleigh Kosman, Kaela Solari and Kelsey Emslie stopped the Monmouth attack all game long. Ella Radigan notched her fourth shutout in as many games, and has not been scored on this season.
Strikers back to winning ways
The EWPAL U-11 Strikers got back to their winning ways on Sunday with a 4-1 win over the Neptune honey Badgers.
Griffin “Q” Kubicki set the stage with a thunderous finish off a well-timed precision pass from Michael “the Hammer” Fowler.
After that the Strikers left halfback Jayden Isabel recorded the season’s first hat trick on three goals with three assists from Edison Pilco.
Sean Burk was solid in nets recording four saves on five shots. Chase Deutsch, Anthony Visconti, and Andi Quiridumbay anchored the defensive alignment and were able to spread the ball around nicely in the backfield, baffling the Badgers of honey.
Jervin Miguez, Peter Chavez, Jeyron Castillo, and Alexis Chasi controlled the midfield and dominated possession play throughout the match.
The win took the Strikers to the top of the table as they prepare for next Sunday’s match away against the Stafford Arsenal.
