Reading United Players of the Year Announced

from Reading United A.C.

Reading United’s men’s and women’s teams both featured seasons that saw the teams’ return to post-season action in the USL2 and WPSL. The Reading United women made their second straight playoff appearance and bested their 2023 inaugural season with a trip to the East Region Championship, where they fell to Clarkstown, SC. The men returned to the post season and travelled to Vermont to face off against Vermont Green FC but lost a heartbreaker on a last second Vermont winner in stoppage time.

Both teams featured a bevy of top collegiate talent who showcased their abilities in front of the Reading crowds this summer and should return to their college teams in great form.

Reading United Men Players of the Year

Reading United men finished the season with seven wins, three losses, and two ties and finished in second place in the challenging Mid-Atlantic Division. The Reading United men’s team players of the year were highlighted by a group of players who featured in nearly every game.

Young Player of the Year – Jack McDaid  

McDaid, the 2022 High School All-American and FC DELCO youth team product, joined Reading after his freshman year at Maryland, where he played in 10 matches. McDaid showed maturity beyond his years as he led the Reading United defense and still contributed on the offensive side of the ball with three goals in his 10 games played (857 minutes). He has transferred to Columbia University for the 2024 season, where he expects to be a key component of the Columbia Lions season.

Defensive Player of the Year – Tim Timchenko

The Reading United captain, in his third year with the club, led the team in minutes played (1156) in 13 games. Timchenko joined Reading after a very successful 2023 season at Iona, where he was the All MAAC First Team nominee and the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year. Alternating duties between defensive midfield and center back, Timchenko led the young team’s defensive corp.

Midfield Player of the Year – Dom Topolsky

The Mount Saint Mary’s senior and former Slovakian youth national team member was a hidden gem for Reading United’s midfield. After playing and starting 13 games for Mount Saint Mary’s, he made his USL2 debut with Reading. His tireless work rate and abilities on set pieces energized the Reading midfield. He was tied for the team lead in goals with seven while appearing in 12 games (starting 11 of them), totaling 846 minutes.

Offensive Player of the Year – Sam Hershey

One of the few multi-year players for Reading United, the Lancaster County native continued to make Reading his summer home and continued to lead the Reading front line. Hershey has been part of the club since his high school days, starting as a reserve team player and moving up the ranks to be one of the leading all-time scorers and minutes played leaders for the club. The former PSAC East Division Rookie of the Year and All-Conference First Team player, and current American University senior and Patriot League First Team player, used his size and strength to dominate USL2 defenses, where he featured in 11 games and amassed 929 minutes for the club. His 11 goals were part of the 32 team goals scored, making Reading the highest-scoring team in the Mid-Atlantic Division.

Reading United Women Players of the Year

Reading United’s women finished the season with six wins, two losses, and two ties and finished in second place in the challenging Mid-Atlantic Division. The Reading United women’s team featured several WPSL debutants that feature in the Women Players of the Year categories.

Young Player of the Year – Cadi Hoke

Hoke, a defensive midfielder and center-back, featured in two Monmouth University games her freshman year. Cadie was a three-time All Berks selection during her time at Wyomissing HS, where she helped the team to three district championships and two Berks County championships. Hoke featured in nine regular season games (starting all nine) and all three playoff games. Hoke showed her versatility in playing midfield and defense for Reading while also taking the lead on most Reading corner kicks throughout the year.

Defensive Player of the Year – Autum Monty

Former HS All-American and newcomer Autum Monty joined Reading from Biola University, where she completed her senior season after transferring from San Jose State. After starting and playing in every game for Biola, she quickly claimed the Reading starting GK position and started all 10 games and all three playoff games.

Midfield Player of the Year – Ashley Lavrich

Lavrich is a Monmouth University commit who graduated from Twin Valley HS this past spring. The former All-State and two-time All-Berks forward selection led the Raiders with 18 goals and three assists in 2023. She scored 50 career goals and was named the Twin Valley team MVP for three seasons. She is also a past ODP selection while with her FC Revolution youth team.  Additionally, she was a 2023 U17 National League PRO Best XI Midfielder in Greensboro, NC. She wasted no time in making her mark in the WPSL as she led the WPSL Mid-Atlantic Division with eight goals and three assists in the regular season. She also scored the opening goal in the East Region Semi-Final against SUSA FC.

Offensive Player of the Year – Becca Kotula

The returning captain of the club, Kotula picked up where she left off in featuring in nine of the Reading 10 regular season games. She was second on the team in the regular season, scoring five goals and three assists. She was a key figure in the team’s playoff run, with a goal and four assists against SJEB FC in the Mid-Atlantic Division championship, and her goal against SUSA FC in the East Region semi-final propelled the club to their first-ever East Region Final. The Wyomissing HS and East Stroudsburg alum was a two-time CSC Academic All-American and two-time all-PSAC East First-team selection.

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Source: bctv