Clark Reign Crowned State Cup Champions!!

The Reign began its State Cup journey with a battle in its opening round against Scotch Plains Ertz in early October.  With five minutes left to play in the second half, Sophia Brower broke free and scored, giving the Reign a 1-0 lead.  However, the lead would not last long.  After several save at point blank range by goalie Addyson Layfield, SPF found the back of the net, tying the game at the 58th minute mark.  Following two scoreless overtime periods, the game would be decided by penalty kicks.  Layfield came up big with a stop to push the Reign to 4-2 victory on PKs. 

In the quarterfinals, the Reign faced off against TSF Academy.  Solid play from the defense and midfield held TSF scoreless in the first half.  With four minutes left to play, Brower received a pass from Meghan Mecke, beat two defenders and put the Reign up 1-0.  Layfield’s solid play and clean sheet secured the 1-0 victory putting the Reign through to the next round.

In the semifinals, NESA looked to avenge their regular season loss to the Reign.  At the 20th minute, NESA took a 1-0 lead.  8 minutes later, Mecke blasted in a rebound tying the game at 1.  Early into the second half, NESA capitalized on a turnover giving them a 2-1 lead.  However, Mecke would strike again, sending the game into overtime.  Once again, two scoreless OTs would force the game into Penalty Kicks.   Mecke, Emma Paco, and Brower successfully made their kicks giving Clark a 3-2 lead.  Addyson Layfield, goalie, stepped up HUGE and did not let the pressure get to her.  Layfield, selected to shoot, converted her PK making it 4-2.  Seconds later, Layfield made a beautiful save sending NESA home and putting the REIGN into the finals.  

Jersey South FC Pride would be the opponent waiting to take on the Reign in State Cup Finals.  5 minutes into the game, Sophia Brower would put the Reign up 1-0 and they would not look back.  In the second half, Mecke one timed a Brower corner kick and Rosalie Wysocki struck from 18 yards out to give the Reign a 3-0 lead.  Dominant defense and midfield play shut down any offensive threat and Layfield put up another clean sheet to preserve the shutout giving Reign the championship.  The Clark Reign are the first President’s Cup champion in club history. 

Congratulations to the coaches (Rob Brower & Mike Sikoriak) and the entire Reign team on their success.  We wish them the best of luck in the Eastern Regional President's Cup tournament held in West Virginia this upcoming June 2022.  We are confident that you will MAKE IT REIGN!