The Elm City Express celebrate its NPSL title. (Mark Smith/NPSL Photo)
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The Elm City Express secured the National Premier Soccer League championship after defeating Midland-Odessa FC, 5-0, at Yale University’s Reese Stadium Saturday night.
Forward Tavoy “The Bull” Morgan and defender Quenton Swift collected two goals apiece as midfielder Daniel Oliveira added one goal. Midfielder Christian Hernandez finished with three assists.
“It’s massive for us,” Elm City Express head coach Teddy Haley said. “It started with the ownership group and the management group doing it the right way from the beginning, putting together a collection of players that bought into what we wanted to do and the vision of it. The team worked really hard to get better every week and stay together, grow together. We talked about going on a run and doing something special.”
Morgan recorded his brace in the first half, tallying goals in the 26th and 45th minutes. Swift registered his goals in the 76th and 90th minutes, while Oliveira tallied in the 80th minute before a season-high crowd of 3,112 for the hosts this season.
“It’s great to be around these amazing and talented guys,” Morgan said. “We push each other every day, on and off the field. It’s a fun team.”
Morgan was selected as man of the match after a vote from on-site media members. It was his fourth award of the season after winning player of the week (June 22), third team All-NPSL and Northeast Region Best XI honors.
Despite the loss, Midland-Odessa FC midfielder Andrew Moullin was quite pleased with his team’s first season in the NPSL.
“I’m super proud of the team,” he said. “The coaching staff is unbelievable. It’s been an honor to be a captain of this team.”
