Recap by Olivia Currier

On Saturday, the Ocean City Nor’easters executed a decisive 3-0 victory over long-time rival, Reading United AC at Alvernia University.

With goals from Agustin Resch (Seton Hall / Arata, Argentina), Andrew Kitch (North Carolina / Medford, NJ) and Theo Da Silva (Univ. of Rio Grande (OH) / Sao Paulo, Brazil) the Nor’easters' record improves to a perfect 4-0-0. 

With the win, Ocean City goalkeeper Nathanael Sallah (Nebraska - Omaha / Hamburg, Germany) earned his second clean sheet in as many starts as the Storm enjoyed a third straight shutout victory in USL League Two play.

The Nor'easters also extended their club record regular season road unbeaten streak to 24 games, which dates back to the 2019 season.

The Reading United - Ocean City rivalry is the oldest active rivalry in the entire United Soccer League, which dates back to 1997. The match marked their 58th all-time meeting with the Storm leading the all-time series 25-22-11. The Nor'easters are now unbeaten in their last nine meetings (5-0-4) against Reading, which is tied for the longest unbeaten streak in the rivalry. The previous record was Ocean City's 6-0-3 run between the 2003 and 2007 seasons.

The opening goal came in the first half after Reading player, Sven Rempel earned a yellow card for slide tackling Jansen Miller (Indiana / Ballwin, MO) as he rushed up the center of the field. The Nor’easters were awarded a free kick about 45 yards from goal, which eventually found Agustin Resch in the center of the box who headed the ball into the air away from goal. Jalen Anderson (South Florida / Hamden, CT) headed it back into the heart of the penalty area where Resch ran onto it and headed it past the goalkeeper to score a top-shelf goal from close range. It was Resch's second goal of the season.

In the 40th minute, Reading's Sven Rempel earned his second yellow card of the night for another reckless tackle on the far side line, resulting in an automatic red card and ejection from the match.

With a man advantage, the Nor'easters took control in the 60th minute. Theo Da Silva fired a quick cross from the right wing to Andrew Kitch who blasted a shot from the far side left side to score the Nor’easters’ second goal of the night. It was the second tally of the season for last season's Young Player of the Year.

The third and final Nor’easter goal was scored in the 67th minute when Arthur Widiez (Florida Atlantic / Èze, France) was sent in on a through ball into the penalty area. Widiez chased the ball down and just before it went out across the touch line, he passed it back in front of the goal where Da Silva was waiting patiently at the six-yard-line. With a quick tap-in shot, Da Silva scored his second goal of the season.

All three goalscorers on Saturday night (Resch, A. Kitch, Da Silva) are now tied for the team lead in goals (2) with Alberto Cruz. It has been a very balanced offensive attack in the first four games of the season.

As Ocean City defense closed out the match without allowing a goal. It marked just the fourth time in club history (2004, 2007, 2013) that the Storm have earned three consecutive shutout wins in a season. The Nor'easters also close out the night with the best goal difference in the division, with a +11, having scored 12 goals and allowing just one.

The Storm will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Wayne, Pa. to take on West Chester United. West Chester is currently in first place in the Mid-Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the second place Nor'easters who have a game in hand.

Ocean City's next home match at Carey Stadium ("The Beach House") will be on Saturday, June 15 against Philadelphia Lone Star FC. Tickets can be purchased online HERE.