Real Central drops second home WPSL game

June 14th, 2026

WEST WINDSOR, NJ – Real Central NJ lost 2-1 to FC Monmouth in a fun WPSL game on Sunday night. The visitors took the three points on the strength of an eight-minute stretch in the second half where they scored both of their goals.

There wasn’t a lot of open space available early in the match. Neither team owned possession in the first 15 minutes and both had harmless chances. 

In the 20th minute, FC Monmouth goalkeeper Saige Santa Cruz made a sparkling save that had the crowd buzzing. Real Central NJ’s Bella Miller ran into a prime position and received a pass inside the box. Miller fired a rocket that seemed destined to hug the back of the net. But Santa Cruz went down in a flash and used a strong left hand to keep the game scoreless.

For the rest of the first half, chances were had but good chances were slim. FC Monmouth had more possession and commanded it from the 23rd minute on.

Real Central NJ came out the aggressors in the second half. They won the 50-50 battles and earned the ball to dictate play.

In the 53rd minute, Taylor Krott from Real Central NJ produced a moment of magic to give her team the lead. Krott used her chest to win a loose ball. She powered through two opponents and charged into a shot from just beyond the 18-yard box. Krott fired a cannonball into the top-right corner of the net and Real Central NJ were up 1-0.

But just four minutes later, Reece Paget and Morgan Cupo of FC Monmouth combined to produce a moment of magic of their own. Paget chested down a ball and sent it forward for Cupo at the top of the 18-yard box. Cupo controlled the ball, turned to her right, and fired a dream killer past goalkeeper Makenzie Van Arsdale to level the score at 1-1.

Four minutes later, Cupo started the play forward when she sent a ball to Allie Serlenga barreling down the left wing. Under pressure, Serlenga sent a dream of a cross into the box. This time it was Paget as the finisher. Paget made a brilliant left-footed volley into the top shelf of the net. There was no chance for Van Arsdale and FC Monmouth had a 2-1 lead.

The visiting side had the lion’s share of chances in the second half (8-5) but Real Central NJ had opportunities. FC Monmouth played stout team defense to keep the home side covered in the danger areas and finished out the game well.

The win is FC Monmouth’s second in a row. They currently sit in 4th place in the Mid-Atlantic Conference - Colonial Division of the WPSL with 7 points. It was a team effort but the play of Paget and Cupo stood out. Both were effective at gaining possession in the middle of the park and driving the action forward. 

For Real Central NJ, it was Taylor Krott and team captain Allison Gilbert that made an impression. Krott was a presence beyond her scintillating goal. And Gilbert was a stout center for the home side’s defense. 

Real Central NJ are currently 5th in the division with a 2-0-2 record. They won’t get much rest with their next game on Tuesday night on the road against Penn Fusion SA. Then they will play their final home game of the season on Friday night versus Delaware Ospreys. Kick off is 7 pm on the campus of Mercer County Community College.