⚽️ Ridge Robinson 100

Ridge Robinson hit the century mark in goals for West Chester United Friday night in the 15th minute in an emphatic 7-1 win over Kensington SC to restart the APSL season for the table leaders.

Robinson’s feat underscores his clinical finishing ability and skill but also his hard work and dedication off the field to stay match fit and ready for multiple cup and league competitions.

“No one's ever done that for our club, so it's really huge,” head coach Blaise Santangelo said after Friday’s game at Kildare’s Field. “He's a professional playing in the amateur game, and the way he handles his body all year long, whether it's soccer or not he's constantly taking care of himself, and it's a testament to him and his commitment.”

The Littleton, Col. native, who played college ball at Coastal Carolina and Drexel, joined West Chester United in August 2022 just before the team traveled to Nashville and won the national 2022 Werner Fricker Cup for the second time.

He’s played 93 games and has also dished 39 assists for West Chester teams while also assisting in managing the team off the field.

“It's a really good personal achievement, but none of it's possible without the team,” Robinson said. “I haven't dribbled every ball in so it's a really a team achievement.”

Robinson had a brace and nearly found a third with a left-footed strike but was denied by a strong near post save from Kensington goalkeeper Evan Watson.

August Axman opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a strong header off a Ken Roby corner. Robinson bagged his second in the 21st minute and Roby had a goal of his own in the 64th minute. Dylan Lacy then added two and Shaan Verma rounded out the scoring in the 90th.

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🗓️ League and Cup Play Continue with Countdown to U.S. Open Cup On

The Predators had a quick turn around from Friday night to Saturday afternoon, playing Villanova in their spring opener at Higgins Soccer Complex at 1 p.m.

The Wildcats grabbed a 2-1 win - West Chester United USL2 alum Michael teDuits had a goal in the first half - but head coach Blaise Santangelo was able to rotate a number of players into the match as they continue to prep for multiple competitions this spring.

High school senior (Lower Merion SC, Springside Chestnut Hill) Andrew Laudenbach had the lone goal for the visitors.

In addition to the U.S. Open Cup match at YSC Sports on March 18, West Chester has another APSL league game Saturday night against Jersey Shore Boca, an EPSA Frank Giancroce Open Cup match Sunday at 2 p.m. vs Ukies at Bryn Athyn College. West Chester also will have two teams in the USASA Region 1 Amateur Cup tournament kicking off in April and will return to United Soccer League of PA action with a game against Lighthouse SC on April 5.

“We have a lot of different pieces now and a lot of competitions,” Santangelo said. “We want to try and mend these pieces together, get the points in the league, get out without any injuries and just get ready for the big one on the 18th.”

Training multiple nights a week will also be key.

“Sometimes the toughest matches are the ones we play in training, and so we're just trying to hold each other accountable in training. If we do that, we should be competitive to play a pro team.”

🗓️ Calendar

Friday, March 7 - Tryouts, Kildare’s Field, 8-10 p.m.
Saturday, March 8 - APSL Match vs Jersey Shore Boca, YSC Sports, 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 9 - EPSA Open Cup vs Ukrainian Nationals, Bryn Athyn College, 2 p.m.
Friday, March 14 - APSL Match at Philadelphia Heritage, Germantown Supersite, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 15 - Tryouts, Kildare’s Field, 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 18 - U.S. Open Cup First Round vs Loudoun United, YSC Sports, 7:30 p.m.