Amateur
West Chester United wins fourth straight NPSL conference title
A well executed team goal and timely goalkeeping led West Chester United to their fourth straight conference title in the NPSL playoffs on Saturday night in West Chester.
The 2-1 win courtesy of a second-half Ridge Robinson winner marked the Predators first NPSL playoff win over FC Motown after losses in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. West Chester won the Keystone West conference titles in 2023, 2024 and 2025 after the conference was split into two and again this year after they were merged into one again.
“We knew we were gonna be in a fight,” head coach Blaise Santangelo said. “They brought a ton of good players and I told our guys we needed to match them for their ability, play hard and get stuck in.”
FC Motown had the better of the chances early, including a strike from Maudwindo Germain on the break that beat West Chester keeper Alex Demars but just hit the far post and was cleared off the line by Ammit Boghul and a strike from Cameron Mcgregor from outside the box that Demars did well to hit up over the bar.
Adam Gomaa, who scored the game winner to knock out Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals in the semifinal, opened the scoring against the run of play in the 38th minute with a great turn and strike from the top of the box. FC Motown was frustrated by the goal because of a referee interference with the play just before Gomaa got the ball but the goal stood and the referee was involved again minutes later whistling for a foul against West Chester goalkeeper Alex Demars in the box against Germain. Cameron Mcgregor calmly finished the penalty kick to tie the game up in the 42nd minute.
The score remained 1-1 going into halftime and past the hour mark when West Chester United captain Robinson headed in a cross from Gomaa that capped a sequence of passes from the back line to the front.
Looking for an equalizer FC Motown threw numbers and fresh legs forward but Demars and the back line of West Chester anchored by Bhogul and Brady Costin held strong through waves of attacks and a number of set pieces. Demars was called on more than once and did well to get down and keep a couple of would-be equalizers from getting past him.
“It was so nerve-wracking coming down to the wire like that,” Demars said. “But I’m just super grateful to be here and be surrounded by the players I’m surrounded by. Being lifted up by the guys after getting each touch of the ball was crucial and just kept instilling that confidence to come out with the win.”
West Chester United will be back in the East region final on Saturday, aiming for a return visit to the NPSL final four for the first time since 2023. They’ll host New Haven United on Saturday night. West Chester defeated New Haven United last year in the East region semifinal at Widener University before losing to Ristozi FC in the final at Alvernia University.
