RECAP: NORTHEASTERN WEEK 4

Written by: Ryan Wood
Photography: Hailey Leonard

BATTLE BETWEEN CONFERENCE GIANTS AND COLLECTING HISTORIC FIRSTS
Round up of Week 4 Action in the Northeastern Conference

The first few weeks of the 2024 WPSL season in the Northeastern Conference have been nothing short of some riveting matchups and eye-raising results.

Clarkstown Soccer Club, ranked No. 2 in the East and eighth nationally, dethroned conference foe and the No. 4 team in the nation, Rhode Island Rogues, 3-1, Saturday night to improve to 2-0 on the summer. The Rogues (2-1-0) came into the match riding a two-game winning streak as the No. 1-ranked team in the East led by Week 3 National Player of the Week Hannah McNulty (Providence College), who came into Saturday’s game with five goals in two games.

“To score three goals against Rhode Island is a great feat, and we had even more chances that we just didn’t finish,” Daniel Samimi, Clarkstown head coach, said. “Of course, [there’s always] room for improvement both individually and collectively, but [we] played very well.

Clarkstown host No. 1 in East, Rhode Island Rogues, in East Region Match of the Week (Hailey Leonard)

Clarkstown got two goals from Kelly Brady (Mississippi) and one from Sophia Bradley (Virginia), while Gabby Chan (Columbia) added two assists. Lena Johnsen (Fordham) tallied one assist for Clarkstown. McNulty assisted on a goal by Camryn Thompson (Stonehill).

“[Our team] played amazing, and I am so proud of all of them with the performance,” Samimi said. “Kayla Bower (St. John's) in goal made a couple big-time saves. Our back line was unbelievable, handling their offensive powers very well. Our center mids really dominated possession and dictated the game very well. Our front three were incredible and created so many opportunities.”

Meanwhile, around the league … WPSL newcomers Merrimack Valley Hawks FC made history in more ways than one. After competing in its first-ever WPSL match and scoring its first WPSL goal (a 4-1 loss to the Rhode Island Rogues; goal from former Oklahoma State midfielder/forward Anna Hurley), the Hawks got two goals from Hurley and one from University of Virginia forward Meredith McDermott in a 4-3 loss to the New York Shockers. 

However, the following day, the Hawks secured its first WPSL win, a 2-0 blanking of Force FC New York at home on Sunday. In the win over Force FC, the Hawks got a goal apiece from Hurley and McDermott.

The New York Shockers kept a grip on third place in the Northeastern Conference with that 4-3 win over Merrimack Valley Hawks FC. The Shockers (1-1-1) got goals from four different contributors in what turned out to be its first win of the young season. Gabriella Sylstra (Le Moyne), Eowyn Lapp (Gordon College), Elina Seppälä (College of Saint Rose), and Ciera Lundy (College of Saint Rose) all scored in the win.

This weekend sees another batch of exciting matches as unbeaten Clarkstown plays back-to-back home games, welcoming Merrimack Valley Hawks FC on Saturday and New York Shockers on Sunday. Force FC New York plays hosts to the Rhode Island Rogues Saturday.