Real Central victorious in WPSL home opener

June 3rd, 2026

WEST WINDSOR, NJ – Real Central NJ won their WPSL home opener 2-0 against the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals on Wednesday evening. The two teams along with a vibrant crowd combined for a lively affair and the victory makes Real Central NJ 2-0 early in the season. The club was honored to have Lisa Gmitter Pittaro, kick off the home opener with a "First Pass". Hailing from Mercer County, Pittaro earned 12 caps with the US National Team and is a member of the Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame.

Conditions were perfect at kickoff with clear skies and a temperature of 81 degrees. The first 15 minutes were played even with possession slightly favoring Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals. 

Neither team had a chance until the 16th minute when Real Central goalkeeper Kailey McMinn made a strong save on a good shot by Sophia Lowery to the top left of the net. From Hunterdon Central Regional High School, McMinn played an excellent first half.

Real Central started to see chances in the 20th minute when Morgan Kotch (Villanova) just missed on a shot to the top right of the goal. At the end of the same minute, the home side broke through.

Kotch, who was Player of the Match with a goal and an assist, made a deft pass using the outside of her foot to Megan Balerna (Franklin & Marshall) in an appetizing area. Balerna fired a shot on the turf and Ukies goalkeeper Rachel Murphy had no chance. Real Central NJ were ahead 1-0. Fans have seen Kotch and Balerna combine for goals many times over their Pennington School careers.

Real Central NJ had most of the possession for the rest of the half. Each team had three chances at the break with the home side still ahead by a goal.

The second half began with a goalkeeping change for Real Central NJ as Dani DeCarlo came in for McMinn. DeCarlo was tested right away by a shot in the 46th minute. Like McMinn, DeCarlo was superb all night with the clean sheet serving as proof.

Real Central began to work through the gears in the 50th minute. Bucknell University midfielder Elizabeth Arthur made a fine play to win a 50-50 ball and advance up the field. Arthur set up Bella Miller (American) for a shot that went wide.

Chances followed consistently for Real Central NJ until the 64th minute when Sophia Miller (Villanova) made a beautiful long pass on the deck to Kotch on the rush. Kotch clinically attacked the defender to create space and fired a shot into the net to make the game 2-0. It was wonderful team football finished up by a fine individual effort.

The Ukies had a slight edge in chances in the second half (7-5) but none found their way over the line. Real Central’s team defending was just as strong as its goalkeeping. One example occurred in the 62nd minute when defender Allison Gilbert tracked back and stopped a rush inside the 18-yard box. 

Although the 2026 WPSL season has just begun, Real Central NJ are currently in first place in the Mid-Atlantic Conference - Colonial Division with 6 points. Their next game is on Tuesday, 6/9, vs Love City FC at home on the campus of Mercer College. Love City FC currently sit in second place in the division with 5 points.