10/18 Recap: Great American Center (Minor)

The PIHA Minor League's Mid-Atlantic Division took center stage on Saturday, October 18, as six of the division's eight teams battled it out at the Great American Center in the first true in-division event of the 2025-26 season. Coming just weeks after a thrilling Metro vs. Mid-Atlantic crossover event, this weekend provided the first real measuring stick for who might emerge as the front-runners within the division.

Jagaloons Roll Through Undefeated

The New Jersey Jagaloons proved once again that they are a team to be reckoned with, going a perfect 3-0 on the day. Their weekend began with an overtime win over the Morristown Revolt Roosters, with Ty Carter netting the game-winner just 42 seconds into the extra frame. They followed that up with a 13-0 dismantling of the Champion Purple Pandas, powered by a four-goal performance from Frank Stuto and a six-point effort from Christian Hoppeles. In their final game, they cruised to a 5-1 win over the Trash Pandas, further cementing their place at the top of the standings.

Wolfpack Keep Pace

Unify New Jersey Wolfpack matched the Jagaloons in points, also going 3-0 thanks to a gritty overtime win over the Trash Pandas, a strong 8-1 showing over the Purple Pandas, and a 6-3 win to close the day against Morristown. Cameron Satkowski was everywhere for Unify, piling up goals while Nick Fanizza quietly tallied assists throughout the day. Their consistent team defense and transition play made them one of the most balanced squads of the weekend.

Trash Pandas Fight Through Marathon Schedule

The Champion Trash Pandas had the busiest schedule of the day, playing five games and finishing with a 2-3 record. They opened with a dramatic 7-6 overtime win over Mach 1 Rinkster Empire before falling to Unify and then defeating Morristown 5-1. Despite strong offensive efforts from Ryan Scott and Tyler Sanborn, the team ran out of gas late in the day, dropping contests to both the Wolfpack and Jagaloons. Still, the team showed plenty of flashes and came away battle-tested.

Morristown Shows Spark, But Consistency Eludes

The Morristown Revolt Roosters went 1-3 on the day, though their record doesn’t tell the full story. They pushed the unbeaten Jagaloons to overtime in the day's opening game and delivered a dominant 9-2 win over the Purple Pandas behind multi-goal performances from Darren Katz and Griffin Crossan. However, they struggled to maintain momentum in losses to Unify and the Trash Pandas. There’s talent here, but cohesion will be key.

Mach 1 Rinkster Empire Still Searching

Mach 1 entered the weekend hoping to shake off some growing pains from the cross-division opener, but came away with a 1-3 record. After an opening OT loss to the Trash Pandas, they fell to both Unify and the Jagaloons before picking up a 7-4 win over the Purple Pandas. Despite the tough schedule, players like Mike Dawson and Andrew Oddo showed bright spots. The team will need a more complete effort moving forward.

Tough Day for the Purple Pandas

The Champion Purple Pandas struggled throughout the event, going 0-4 with multiple lopsided losses. The offense sputtered in the early matchups, and despite a late surge against Mach 1, they couldn’t find enough finish. Zane Claudio and Max Allen provided brief moments of energy, but the young squad will need to regroup and focus on team defense in upcoming events.

Division Outlook

With the Mid-Atlantic table beginning to take shape, the Jagaloons and Wolfpack have emerged as the early favorites, combining elite speed and systems with clutch finishing. The Trash Pandas sit in a crowded middle tier, alongside teams like Morristown and Mach 1, while the Purple Pandas continue to search for their footing. The next Mid-Atlantic divisional event will be key as playoff races begin to form.

Stay tuned as PIHA's 25th anniversary season continues to roll with more regional matchups in the weeks ahead.