The PA Classics Reading Academy 2011 Girls Fury secured the Pennsylvania State Cup Championship on May 17, edging FC Europa ECNL RL 2-0 at the WSFS Sportsplex in Chester.
A Halftime Rally That Ignited the Victory
Head coach Amanda Bezner’s halftime pep talk — ‘Forty more minutes, girls. Forty more minutes to be state cup champs. Who’s going to do it?’ — seemed to galvanize the squad, setting the tone for the decisive goals that followed.
Olivia Cipriano opened the scoring by pouncing on a rebound after the goalkeeper failed to secure the initial shot, while Kinley Miller followed with a calm finish to put the team ahead 1-0.
Just 30 seconds after the restart, Leah Weitzel doubled the lead with a left‑footed volley that left the opposition scrambling.
A Team Forged by Years of Shared Experience
Many of the players have been together since they were seven, progressing through the club’s youth pathways and forming bonds that translate into on‑field chemistry.
Coach Bezner, who once guided many of them as children, watches proudly as the group now competes in the US Youth Soccer National League Premier 2 division, a testament to their steady development.
Looking Ahead to Nashville
The championship earns the Fury a spot in the US Youth Soccer National Championships in Nashville, Tennessee, where they will face state champions and elite teams from across the country.
To offset travel costs, the club is currently fundraising, hoping the community will support their journey to the national stage.
Beyond the trophy, players like defender Jordan Reedy and midfielder Talia Robison stress the importance of dedication — both on the field and in the classroom — as they prepare for the upcoming tournament.