Ocean City Nor'easters Men's Soccer Team Wins Eastern Conference Title

Ocean City, NJ -- The Ocean City Nor’easters are one of four remaining teams in the Premier Development League (PDL) playoffs.

The Nor’easters captured the Eastern Conference title with a 4-1 win over Reading United on Sunday. The Nor’easters scored all four goals in the second half, after falling behind 1-0 in the first. Ocean City played with an advantage in the second half after Reading United’s Mohamed Condé was ejected with a red card late in the first half.

Nathan Regis led the offensive surge for the Nor’easters with a pair of goals and an assist. With that assist, the reigning NCAA Division II Player of the Year broke the single-season club record with his 10th assist in all competitions.

It was Mutaya Mwape who tied the game for Ocean City in the 55th minute when he hit a stunner off the right post and in from a free kick.

The Zambian was a major factor for Ocean City, playing a part in the second goal as well. Mwape's incredible footwork got him past three Reading defenders and he slipped the ball to Regis, who rifled it into the top right corner from close range in the 76th minute to take the 2-1 lead.

Chevaughn "Chevy" Walsh played a well-timed through ball to Miguel Jaime, who calmly chipped the keeper from distance to put Ocean City up 3-0.

Minutes later, Regis added another goal on a breakaway. Mwape brought the ball forward in acres of space. Most of the defense was still forward trying to find a late goal to give themselves a chance for a late rally. Mwape once again used his great speed and agility to find Regis, who put home his second of the match in stoppage time.

Ocean City came into Sunday's conference final at Don Thomas Stadium in Exeter, Pa. afer a 1-0 win over the top-seeded Charlotte Eagles.

It is the team’s second Eastern Conference championship. The last title came in 2013, when the Nor’easters went on to lose 1-0 to the Austin Aztex.
"We know what to expect this time around," Nor’easters coach Tim Oswald said.

The other three teams in the PDL’s Final Four are he Michigan Bucks (Central Conference champions), Midland/Odessa Sockers FC (Southern Conference champions) and Calgary Foothills FC (Western Conference champions). The schedule for the semifinals will be announced later this week.

The attached image was provided by the Ocean City Nor’easters.