WC Predators open up six point conference lead in APSL after blow out win

Friday night’s clash between the first and second place teams in the Delaware River Conference of the APSL promised to be a tight affair between two teams with very little breathing room between them but WC Predators had other ideas with five goals in the first half and an 8-1 win over Alloy SC.

The win for the Predators opens up a six point lead at the top of the table but Alloy does have a game in hand as they try to chase the local amateur power in their first season in the APSL.

Even amidst a gauntlet of games that included a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals in USLPA play Sunday, a U.S. Open Cup match and EPSA Open Cup final last weekend and another midweek APSL clash, head coach Blaise Santangelo was able to field a solid lineup with plenty of weapons going forward.

Josh Luchini was the brightest of those attacking stars Friday night, banging in a first half hat trick while Dylan Lacey added a pair in the second half and substitute Luke Hill had a wonder strike of a volley in the 74th minute. Ken Roby also scored and Alloy had an own goal. West Chester is now on 71 goals through 14 matches and has an incredible +56 goal differential. Kensington SC is a distant second in goals scored with 39. Only the NY Pancyprian Freedoms with 55 goals in 16 games are even close to that total across the league’s five conferences.

Derek Ramirez had a lovely free kick to spoil the clean sheet for Alex Demars and the Predators back line but the win was a statement from the Predators that they remain the team to beat heading into the final two months of the regular season. Alloy, meanwhile, will look to regroup and keep the pressure on West Chester through their final five games of the season.