Arsenal advance in cup play
The East Windor PAL Arsenal advanced to the MOSA Cup Championship game by defeating the Marlboro Cyclones 3-1 in the semifinal game played in East Windsor.
Just three days removed from a 3-2 loss to Medford in The NJ State Cup quarterfinals, the Arsenal ladies were focused and more prepared than ever to take on a Marlboro team ranked 40th in New Jersey.
Charlotte Garcia scored the first Arsenal goal on an assist from Abby Carter. Then, in the second half, Rachael Charsky once again dazzled the crowd with perfect accuracy as she drove home a direct free kick from close to 30 yards out, after Megan Khazem drew the foul. Garcia put the game away with her second goal assisted by Elise Price.
The defensive efforts by Tanya Aughenbaugh and Alayna Giampolo frustrated the Marlboro forwards all game. Arsenal will play Ocean Township Fever in the Championship game to be played on neutral turf in Manalapan.
The Arsenal then took the momentum from their big win into their next league game vs. Toms River at home. The result was a 5-0 victory. Abby Carter scored two goals, with one each from Angelina Benitez, Rachael Charsky, and Lola Huang. Assisting on the goals were Ally Szelag, Anna Zappola, Marcella Hrshman, and Nishan Pannu. Radha Ghate notched her fourth shutout in goal.
At the midway point in the season, Arsenal is 5-0 and stand at the top of the division in first place.
Thunder, Lightning play to a draw
The East Windsor PAL Thunder played their final game of the first half of the season to a 1-1 draw against the first place German American Kickers (GAK) Lightning in the MOSA Premier Division.
GAK threw the first punch with a goal in the fifth minute of the game off a rebound shot after Ella Radigan made a diving save. The Thunder continued to play their methodical passing game and held great composure. The defensive line of Mia Huang, Bella Cammarata, and Calleigh Kosman held off a powerful surge from the GAK forwards.
As the game progressed, the Thunder dominated possession and it looked like they would tie things up as Karly Mckenna’s shot with 3 minutes left in the game just went wide.
While the GAK fullbacks were trying to play out the clock, the final Thunder surge was the best one. Center midfielder Isabella Del Toro passed to Right midfielder Isabella Benitez who split two defenders with a through pass in the box to forward Teresa Alison who banged home the equalizer with no time left on the clock.
The 1-1 draw keeps Thunder in pace right behind GAK in second place.
