WPSL: Pennsylvania Classics post monumental and improbable comeback against SJEB FC to win Mid-Atlantic Conference title
- Dan Stickradt
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
GLASSBORO, N.J. – There are comebacks in the sport of soccer.
Then there is the Pennsylvania Classics’ comeback Saturday at the Rowan University Soccer Stadium in Glassboro, New Jersey.
In what was deemed one of the greatest comebacks in the Women’s Premier Soccer League's 27-year history, the Pennsylvania Classics rallied back from a 3-0 second-half deficit to steal away a 5-3 victory over the South Jersey Elite Barons Football Club in the Mid-Atlantic Conference finals.
The PA Classics were shut out in their regular season finale 1-0 to Hex FC Tempest and then trailed 3-0 after the 57th minute of the second half in the conference finals. The Classics scored three times after the 71st minute, including the game tying goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time and just moments from the end of regulation, then added two more goals during the 30 minutes of overtime to prevail.
With the win, the PA Classics advance to the WPSL Round of 16 in the East Region Playoffs.
It almost wasn't mean to be.
SJEB FC built a 2-0 halftime lead on a pair of goals by Olivia McMaster, as those tallies came early in the 11th and 14th minutes, respectively.
SJEB FC took a 3-0 advantage in the 57th minute on a goal by Olivia Brocious.
But it seems that one-, two- and three-goal leads in a postseason atmosphere are not always safe. Remind that to the players and coaches in this WPSL game.
PA Classics finally got on the board in the 72nd minute to begin their comeback, as Elizabeth Estrada scored her first goal of the game to trim the deficit down to 3-1.
Liza Suydam made it 3-2 with her goal in the 80th minute which helped add to the drama and continue the comeback bid.
Finally, five minutes into stoppage time it was Lindsey Husic that tallied the game-tying goal at 3-3 in the waning seconds to force overtime.
The Pennsylvania Classics continued to work hard and thrive in overtime.
Estrada scored her second goal of the night which proved to be the eventual game-winner in the 96th minute, while Estrada finished off the hat trick performance with an insurance tally in the 117th minute and complete the wild finish and comeback triumph.
Estrada only had four goals in the regular season and nearly doubled her output with her first hat trick of the 2025 season.
Hannah Hilt was the winning goalkeeper for Pennsylvania Classics.
The Classics, the Commonwealth Division runners-up, moved to 6-1-4 on the season with a 36-14 scoring edge heading into the East Region Playoffs. The side now averages 3.28 goals-per-game after the five-goal outburst. Pennsylvania Classics has allowed 1.28 goals a contest.
SJEB FC finishes the year with a 7-3-1 record, a 32-13 scoring edge and three shutouts, but the five goals against in the conference finals was also the biggest letdown of the season for the Elite Barons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the National Soccer Network regarding club/youth soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with ties to a particular state or states, contact Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and news@nationalsoccernetwork.com, or call 248-525-2349.
PREMIER MEDIA GROUP / NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK /
NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561215500230
— All Rights Reserved, Premier Media Group / National Soccer Network
Comments