Reading United AC News Release -- www.readingunitedac.com
Friday, May 20, 2011
OLEY, Pa. – Reading United's Will Bates and Brian Ownby orchestrated a three-goal outburst in 17 minutes in the second half as Reading ran past the Ocean City Nor’easters 4-1 at Oley Valley High School on Friday night.
Emotions were high before the game after a stirring ceremony to honor Mark McKently, a former Oley Valley High School student and soccer player who lost his life in a fatal car accident earlier this year. Using pre-sold tickets and part of the walk-up sales, Reading United established a scholarship fund in Mark’s honor. In addition, Oley Valley awarded Mark’s parents with their Senior Athlete Award, which is given to the top athlete in their graduating class.
After a first half where Ocean City frustrated the United with their physical brand of soccer, Will Bates and Brian Ownby used their chemistry to give Reading a spark. In the 47th minute, a deflection off of Ownby from 18 yards out was curved sharply by Bates past a helpless Pat Hannigan, the Nor’easters goalkeeper. Ownby then struck in the 60th minute, punching in a point-blank range cross into the penalty area from Shane Malcolm. Bates then added his second in the 64th minute, rising above the Nor’easter defense to head in a Christian Barreiro corner for his fourth goal in two games.
“We’re fortunate to have such chemistry with our forwards," United head coach Brendan Burke said. "These players (Bates, Ownby, and teammate Brian “Cobi” Span) were the top three scorers for a team that started the 2010 season ranked No.2 in the nation at Virginia. You add that kind of talent to the relationship these three bring, and you’re going to have success.”
Ocean City finally got on the board in the 69th minute, hoping to recapture some of their magic when they overcame a two-goal deficit in last year’s matchup. But the United defense clamped down, and midfielder Stephen Okai put the nail in the coffin in the 80th minute with a beautiful one-on-one chance against Hannigan that Okai ripped into the upper right corner.
With the win, Reading took one step closer towards securing a U.S. Open Cup berth, a competition between the top levels of the U.S. Soccer Pyramid. The victory also officially eliminated both Ocean City and the Central Jersey Spartans, leaving only the Jersey Express with a chance to topple the United from their third consecutive Open Cup appearance. The Express continue their qualifying schedule on Saturday against the Long Island Rough Riders.
It was the most goals allowed by Ocean City since July 9, 2008 in a 4-1 loss to the Brooklyn Knights. It was also the most goals scored by Reading against Ocean City since July 20, 2007, when both teams went by different names (Reading Rage, Ocean City Barons) and Reading defeated Ocean City 5-4, finally overcoming three separate deficits with goals in the 84th and 90th minutes. Former Rage defender Kevin Strunk and long-time Ocean City midfielder Byron Carmichael played in both games from the current Ocean City team.
The United now travel for a friendly match against the United States U17 Men’s National Team. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. at Chester Park in Wallingford, Pa. They then return home to Exeter’s Don Thomas Stadium for another friendly against USL PRO's Harrisburg City Islanders on Tuesday, May 24th at 7 p.m. $10 general admission tickets for the City Islanders friendly can be purchased from readingunitedac.com, or you can skip the lines with ShowClix print-at-home tickets that can be purchased from showclix.com/event/readingunitedac.