Written By:  Mairead Forrest
             East Region Contributor

Photos By:   Autumn Horst

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June 3rd - PA Classics vs. Lehigh Valley Tempest (1- 4)

In its first test against one of two Mid-Atlantic Conference heavyweights, PA Classics seemed poised to create waves in the conference at the end of the first half. Not only did it lead by one goal at the close of the first 45’–after Makenzie Graham buried an early freekick in the left upper 90–but the Classics were continually dangerous in the final third during the second half, as well.

 

Despite Classics’ impressive play, Lehigh Valley Tempest’s award-winning offense refused to stay quiet for long, scoring four goals in quick succession. Hope Flanegin led the Tempest’s comeback charge with two goals while returning 2021 Mid-Atlantic Offensive Player of the Year Emily Banashefski tallied a goal and an assist. Alex Marstellar also netted a goal and Rylee Donaldson provided two assists in the 4-1 win.

 

June 5th - Torch FC vs. Hershey FC (1 - 2)

Torch FC and Hershey FC faced off for the second time this season, this time at Torch’s home stomping ground–Pennridge high school. This match again proved to be a tight meeting between the two sides with Hershey only securing a one-goal victory.

 

Torch player Audrey Lerch scored from a one-time volley off a Nicole Barham cross four minutes into the second half. Hershey would answer 26 minutes later when Haley Luckenbill scored a free-kick from right outside the 18-yard box. Three minutes later Justyce Hollenbach would net the decider off a Hershey defensive clearance from just inside Torch’s 18. 

 

June 8th - Fever SC vs. PA Classics (1 - 3)

PA Classics bounced back from its defeat five days earlier at the hand of Lehigh Valley Tempest with a decisive victory on the road against Fever SC. Classics’ potent offense was in full effect during the match netting three goals, while Fever would answer the conference newcomer’s onslaught with a goal of its own.

 

June 11th - Lehigh Valley Tempest vs. Hershey FC (5 - 1)

Lehigh Valley Tempest secured its place atop the conference table with this home victory versus Hershey FC. The Tempest opened the scoring early in the first half with back-to-back goals from Hope Flanegin and Emily Banashefski in the 9’ and 11’ minutes.

 

Hershey would get its own opportunity to answer back in the final third when Justyce Hollenbach scored a half-volley off a long-range, cross-field clearance from defender Taylar Luckenbill in the 15’ minute. Before Hershey could mount a true counteroffensive, Lehigh Valley would net three more goals before the match’s 35’ minute. Ava Schaller scored the first, withBanashefski securing a hat trick with the final two. A scoreless second half would result in the match ending at this early-defined scoreline.

 

 

June 11th - Fever SC vs. Torch FC (0 - 0)

Fever SC and Torch FC would play to a draw during the clubs’ first meeting of the 2022 season. This tie would prove enough to raise Fever above Torch in the current conference standings, although Torch has the opportunity to change this when the clubs play for the second time on Sunday, June 19th at Pennridge High School–Torch’s home field.

 

June 12th - Real Central NJ vs. PA Classics (3 - 0)

Real Central NJ kept its conference championship hopes alive and inched one step closer to catching Lehigh Valley Tempest in the overall standings with a victory against PA Classics last Sunday. RCNJ’s first goal would come in the 24’ minute when forward Brooke Steel scored off a low cross from defender Emmi DeNovellis.

 

That scoreline would remain until defender Ava Curtis scored directly from a corner in the 48’ minute. RCNJ’s final goal of the match came in the 69’ minute with Makenzie Rodrigues absolutely burying a header off a cross from Katie Sullivan.

 

The victory puts RCNJ on equal footing with Tempest, with each team only securing less than three points against the other. Tempest’s extra match and goals for advantage (currently double the amount of RCNJ) give the former the edge in overall standings.