Written by:  Charlie Corr
​             East Region Contributor

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Brooklyn City FC overcame a two-goal halftime deficit for a win. New Jersey Alliance FC overcame two deficits for a road draw. The New York Athletic Club provided the most dramatic of finishes against Downtown United SC, overcoming a three-goal halftime deficit and slotting home an equalizing penalty kick to end the match.

 

Needless to say, the third week of the WPSL’s Metro Conference had its share of comebacks and late drama as the 2022 season heats up.

 

Menta, NYAC earn hard-fought draw at DUSC: One of the most action-packed, end-to-end matches of the week took place Saturday, with Downtown United SC and the New York Athletic Club sharing the points with a 4-4 draw.

 

Host DUSC built a 4-1 halftime advantage, and at the time, it appeared to be a safe cushion. Then an energized NYAC responded with two goals early in the second half and capped off the match with Jenna Menta’s penalty kick in second-half stoppage time. That tally was the final kick of the day and her third goal of the match. Heading in, DUSC (3-0-2, 11 points) had not conceded more than two goals in a single match this season.

 

Bayer, Brooklyn City finish strong: Expansion Brooklyn City FC found itself in a two-goal hole through 45 minutes but led by Sarah Bayer, the visiting side came from behind for a clutch 3-2 victory against the New York Athletic Club on Wednesday. Bayer recorded a pair of second-half goals, including a 73rd-minute game-winner. Barbara Zagonyi assisted both of Bayer’s tallies, and sandwiched in between was a Claire Dawson equalizer.

 

“I knew when she [Sarah Bayer] would get chances in the second half, they would be converted,” Kim Wyant, Brooklyn City head coach said. “As the game progressed, we got stronger and stronger, especially with our attacking sequences.”

 

STA extends unbeaten streak, moves into 1st: New Jersey-based STA notched seven points over the past week, extended its unbeaten streak to five (4-0-1) and moved into first place in the Metro Conference with a 4-1-1 record and 13 points. STA posted a pair of wins against expansion New York Dutch Lions FC on Wednesday and Sunday, and drew 2-2 against New Jersey Alliance FC on Thursday.

 

Kelly Monaco has been a consistent threat this season for STA, netting one goal against both NYDLFC during the midweek and Alliance FC the following day to extend her goal-scoring streak to three straight matches. Also noteworthy, Maggie Speckhart notched the team’s first hat trick of STA’s season on Wednesday, followed by Sophie Vieira and Aoi Kataoka providing the club’s second and third three-goal performances, respectively, to cap off the weekend.

 

Alliance FC caused the lone disruption to STA’s stellar form during Week 3’s pack of come-from-behind thrillers. Down a goal on two occasions during Thursday’s match, including a 2-1 halftime deficit, Francesca Catananzi provided a second-half equalizer to garner an important road point.

 

Week 3 Metro Conference Results:

Wednesday, June 15

• STA 7, New York Dutch Lions FC 0
• Brooklyn City FC 3, New York Athletic Club 2

Thursday, June 16

• STA 2, New Jersey Alliance FC 2

Saturday, June 18

• Downtown United SC 4, New York Athletic Club 4
• SUSA FC 5, New Jersey Alliance FC 2

Sunday, June 19

• Brooklyn City FC 1, SUSA FC 1
• STA 8, New York Dutch Lions FC 1