Torch FC Men and Women Battle It Out in Doubleheader Games
Women’s Match vs Penn Fusion
The ladies were excited to play Penn Fusion after a loss in their last game. So, with one substitution and 100 degree weather the Torch took the field ready to brave the heat and put up a fight against a deep Penn Fusion team. Penn Fusion was first to open up the scoring early in the first half. From that point on the Torch was able to get a few good chances on goal but attacking moments were few and far between. Before the end of the half, Penn Fusion was able to net another goal causing the score to be 2-0 going into half. The second half was a similar story to the first. Penn Fusion possessed a majority of the ball and were able to put another one in the back of the net midway through the second half. While the Torch battled for 90 full minutes they were unable to capitalize on any of their chances throughout the half. To end the game, in the last few minutes, Penn Fusion was able to get a breakaway goal causing the final score to come to 4-0 Penn Fusion. From Kailey Neef, “It was enjoyable to see the grittiness of our girls through a grueling 100 degree match against a very quality opponent”.
From Head Coach, Jason Lollar, “As the result shows, it was a tough day for us. It was a tough day from a weather standpoint to only have one substitution, especially considering the fact that we were playing the best team in our division. I think the girls played hard and really gave everything they had. I would say some of our struggles we can chalk up to sheer exhaustion, but some of our struggles were the result of some things we did poorly and need to improve upon moving forward. I am grateful that our group is committed to the process and are excited to show up this week or another week of training. I have every bit of confidence that we will learn from our mistakes and continue to grow and improve moving forward. It can be a bit discouraging to come away without a win from our first three games, but I really am optimistic that we are going to have every chance to come away with a result in our remaining seven games. Games like this weekend can really reveal a lot about a group and I am excited to see what this week of training reveals to us”.
Make sure to support the Torch FC ladies in their next game at Lehigh Valley Tempest at 7:00 pm on Saturday, June 12th.
Men’s Match vs West Chester United
Coming off a tough loss the guys were determined to show that they do not fold easily. The guys came out with something to prove and that they did. They showcased that they were a team that could work together and fight for each other and it resulted in an excellent first half of soccer. Their reward came in the first half when they scored a fantastic team goal. Aidan Link sent the ball back to Filip Burnett who sent it up to Nathaniel Mederos who then sent it in to Jonas Larsson who ultimately put the ball in the back of the net. Larsson on the goal, “It felt good that it finally went in after two games with some close ones. Nathaniel took it down the line and beat his guy and then gave me a good cross. Next game two goals!”. With fantastic first half play and a 1-0 lead going into half the Torch felt like things were finally clicking after the fluke loss last game. The second half starts and again the Torch come out strong. They dominated much of the second half until West Chester claimed the final 15 minutes. In the 83rd minute West Chester took a long range shot and were able to tie it up. A short six minutes later they are able to net another one causing the game to end in a 2-1 loss for the Torch.
From Head Coach, Rich Sparling, “We played 75 minutes of great soccer against a really good West Chester team. We wanted the conference to know that our last lopsided loss was a fluke and I think we did that. Unfortunately, 2 mistakes at the wrong end of the field in the last 15 minutes cost us a win that we really deserved but squandered. Ultimately, we accomplished why Torch exists when after the game, Filip shared his personal testimony along with a brief explanation of the Gospel”.
Make sure to support the Torch FC men in their next game at Electric City at 6:00 pm on Saturday, June 12th.
