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A pair of goals in the first 21 minutes of play were enough to keep West Chester United rolling in a 2-1 win over local rival Junior Lone Star FC in South Philly on Saturday.
Miscommunication in the back from the Junior Lone Star FC defense led to the first goal in the 17th minute when Notre Dame midfielder Aiden McFadden was left all alone to hammer home a volley off a loose ball past the keeper for his third goal of the season. West Chester doubled its lead going against the run of play when Evan Vare set up Villanova’s Luca Mellor for a tap in goal on an empty net.
The Stars threatened on a number of occasions but were unable to beat veteran goalkeeper Charlie Sales until the Nyakeh Kamara connected from 22 yards out in the 78th minute that cut the deficit in half. The goal was the first conceded by West Chester in 348 minutes to start the season.
Junior Lone Star goalkeeper Vincent Tasca, who was making his NPSL debut, had several key interventions to keep the Stars within striking distance, but the offense was unable to punish a West Chester back line anchored by Notre Dame center back Senan Farrelly and Lafayette center back Christian Williams.
With the win, West Chester United improved to 4-0-0 and is in first place in the Keystone Conference while Junior Lone Star fell to 2-2-0 and fourth place in the conference.
For the third straight game, Atlantic City FC was on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline in a loss to New Jersey Copa FC last Wednesday.
Gerald Cubero scored the game-winner in the 48th minute for Copa FC.
Since scoring twice in a 2-0 win in the first game against FC Monmouth, Atlantic City FC’s offense has gone 299 minutes without a goal. They’ll host Electric City Shock tonight at Stockton University in a game rescheduled from last Saturday.
Hershey FC fell to 1-2-1 on the season with a 2-1 loss to FC Monmouth on the road.
Hershey fell behind early on a 5th minute goal from Julian Velerio, but tied it on a 47th minute equalizer from Kyle Moerschbacher, his second of the season. Thomas Judge found a winner for Monmouth in the 79th minute.
Torch FC had the week off, but will return to action this Saturday hosting FC Motown. Junior Lone Star FC visits Electric City Shock on Saturday and Hershey FC hosts Atlantic City FC and West Chester United visits Mercer County Community College to play New Jersey Copa FC.