FC Monmouth Women’s Set for Final Two Games of Regular Season
By Chris Dailey
Though it feels like the start of the season just began, this weekend marks FC Monmouth women’s final two games of the regular season. Both matches will be played on the Blue and Gold’s home turf, Count Basie Park in Red Bank.
The penultimate fixture is set for 6:00 PM against Penn Fusion SA. FC Monmouth will have a lot to prove after falling 4-2 against Penn Fusion on June 14. Penn Fusion SA found themselves up 3-0 by the end of the first half, but FC Monmouth showed no signs of quit. The Blue and Gold fired back with two quick goals by Julianna Caccamo and Victoria Pungello to open up the second half to bring themselves within one.
Penn Fusion responded minutes later with a fourth goal and held their lead for the remainder of the game.
The result was perhaps an unexpected one for FC Monmouth, as the Blue and Gold are currently placed second in the Colonial Division on 14 points. Meanwhile, Penn Fusion are second to last with 9 points – granted they have a game in hand on FC Monmouth.
FC Monmouth will return home to Red Bank for a 7:00 PM clash against Real Central NJ on Sunday night. The Blue and Gold notched a 3-2 victory over Real Central on Tuesday night in dramatic fashion.
Madison DiEugenio tied the game in the 21st minute for FC Monmouth after Real Central’s early goal. Kiki Barber then gave the Blue and Gold the lead in the second half. Real Central’s Elizabeth Arthur responded with a 78th minute goal to knot the game at two apiece.
Just when it seemed like the teams would share a point, Paige Seitz delivered a perfectly placed cross to Rian Stanton. The UMBC midfielder finished the ball with ease, and FC Monmouth gained a crucial three points.
Seitz’s assist added to her already impressive collection of statistics in the second half of the season, and her great run of form was highlighted by her honor as the WPSL’s national offensive player of the week for matchweek five.
Seitz will be the centerpiece of head coach Lou Santa Cruz’s game plan as he aims for a six point weekend. With no outright divisional winner claimed just yet, this weekend's set of games will carry a playoff-like intensity.
“It’s great going into our final two matches knowing we’re still in the mix for playoffs. Although we need to defeat two quality opponents and a bit of help to get in, we are excited to still have a chance to qualify,” stated Santa Cruz.
Tickets for both matches are available at fcmonmouth.com/tickets.
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