USL Weekly Report

Recapping the start to Morris Elite’s USL W and USL 2’s seasons by Grace Cannizzo

MADISON, NJ – Morris Elite’s USL W team is off to a dominant start in their season. Under the lead of striker Jules Osterman, Morris Elite’s USL W team found immense success in their home opener, outscoring AC Connecticut 14-0. The Boston University commit found the back of the net four times within the first 23 minutes of the game. In addition to Osterman, there were several other goal scorers. Forward Nata Ramirez, the recent Columbia University graduate, put up a hattrick, while Bucknell University midfielder, Henna Andican and Brown University striker, Angelina Vargas each scored twice for Morris Elite. Riley Cross and Kelly Severini also added to the team’s score, along with Gillian Poiesz, who played her first game with Morris Elite. 

Then, on Wednesday, Morris Elite faced Paisley FC. Head Coach, Steph Savino, explained, “Paisley came at us strong, with a high press that challenged our buildout.” Despite this intense press, Nata Ramirez, the forward at Columbia University, who put up a hattrick against AC Connecticut, scored only six minutes into the game. Morris Elite scored three more times within the half, with goals from midfielder and team captain, Kelly Severini, midfielder, Henna Andican, and striker, who made her debut for the team, Allie Post. In the second half, the team found the back of the net five more times. Henna Andican scored two more times, earning a hattrick, while Kelly Severini and Allie Post scored again as well, each ending the night with two goals. Gillian Poiesz added to the lead as well, scoring in the later part of the half.  Morris Elite gave up one goal in the last minute of the match, which brought the final score to a 9-1 win.

Coach Savino mentioned, “I’m proud of our girls for putting on a great performance. Our chemistry is strong two games in and that’s a testament to our players and their personalities, and their love for the game.”

In their most recent game, the team tied with the also undefeated Cedar Stars. A goal from Kelly Severini in the opening minutes gave Morris Elite the lead, but a goal from the Cedar Stars towards the end of the match, allowed for the 1-1 draw.  Morris Elite will face Paisley once again, next Saturday, at 6:30 PM at Rutgers Newark. The game can be streamed on Morris Elite’s YouTube Channel. 

Morris Elite’s USL 2 team also kicked off their season with a home game, fighting a hard battle against Staten Island ASC. Ultimately, Staten Island’s single goal in the 25th minute cost Morris Elite the game. Morris Elite’s Head Coach, Donato Curci, noted, “Besides the result, we were fighting until the end and we were so close to tie the game.” He further explained, “we have to improve our finishing in the final third. We had a lot of good play combinations but at the end of the day, we have to put the ball in the net.” 

Most recently, Morris Elite lost a tight match against the Cedar Stars. The final score was 2-0. New players, Uno Frederick-Ilekhuoba and Gabriel Addo, put in excellent performances in both matches. Returning defender, Matt Moran, controlled the back line while returning striker, Jake Novoshelski, helped the team shine offensively. Morris Elite has great potential to excel this season.With some great moments of play and the players’ growing familiarity with each other, Coach Curci is optimistic for his team’s upcoming games, adding “We are continuing to work on building our chemistry and connection and pretty soon we will celebrate our first win of the season.”

Morris Elite will play FC Motown on Wednesday at Rutgers Newark. The game will kick off at 7:30 EST and can be streamed on Morris Elite’s YouTube Channel.