HOLMDEL, N.J. — The Long Island Rough Riders surprised New Jersey Copa FC, handing their foes its first home loss in the United Women’s Soccer playoffs Tuesday night.
In fact, NJCFC had surrendered only two goals at home this season, but that was turned upside down by the Rough Riders, who connected four times in the second half in a 5-1 victory in the East Conference championship game at Saint John Vianney High School.
The Rough Riders (8-2-1) qualified for the UWS national semifinal in Grand Rapids, Mich. Friday. The national championship will be decided Saturday.
Morgan Santoro scored twice — once in each half — assisted on a third goal and was fouled in the penalty area to set up a penalty kick.
History was on the side of the 2016 national runners up. New Jersey had been unbeaten a home (8-0-2) and had registered five shutouts, including three clean sheets in the last four games. NJCFC had outscored opponents 13-2 at home this season and by a staggering 25-5 margin in 10 home matches.
Without several players, including forward Krystyna Freda, the reigning UWS player of the year, and versatile back Jenny Bitzer, NJCFC (8-2-1) never could find its footing.
Long Island held a 1-0 halftime lead after a 39th-minute tally and scored twice in a span of 3:15 early in the second half to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Two more goals in a three minute and two second stretch midway through the period sealed the hosts’ fate.
Megan Hunsberger broke up the shutout bid in the 86th minute when she struck on an assist from Christina Rodgers. NJCFC caught the crossbar twice.
Santoro proved to be the difference, scoring the first two goals in the 39th and 51st minutes before assisting on the fifth strike in the 72nd minute. Santoro was difficult to contain and when she was dragged down in the box. Long Island was awarded a penalty kick that Kimberly Marra converted in the 69th minute to make it 4-0.
Taylor Elliott’s laser beam from 45 yards in the 55th minute and Victoria Antonino’s finish in the 72nd minute provided the other Rough Rider goals.
Megan Hunsberger broke up the shutout bid in the 86th minute when she struck on an assist from Christina Rodgers. NJCFC caught the crossbar twice.
Goalkeeper Melissa Guglielmo stopped five shots for Long Island. Copa keeper Kristyn Shea made two saves.
