MORRISTOWN (NJ) – In a game full of huge offensive plays, Reading Express linebacker Matt Sola made the biggest play of the game. Sola blocked a last second field goal that eventually ended out of the end zone providing the winning margin in the 71-69 victory over the New Jersey Revolution Saturday night in Mennen Arena.

“This was four quarters of football,” said the exhausted but proud Revolution Head Coach, Al Forsythe after the game.

The Revolution (0-7) showed signs of growth, the first time this season they played as a team instead of as individuals.

“It’s all mental, they leaned on each other instead of laying into each other, and that’s what it comes down to,” Forsythe said. “It’s a family out here and you need someone to have your back because the other team isn’t and that’s what they did today.”

The fireworks started early as Revolution wide receiver Elliott White returned the opening kickoff 50 yards for the first points of the contest. Reading (5-4) quickly answered, behind the strong arm of quarterback Rob Flowers.

Flowers tied the score with a 1-yard plunge (the first of four rushing touchdowns), but the Revolution stayed resilient. Behind quarterback Bill Winters (15-26-175, 5tds) the Revolution marched downfield and recaptured the lead on a short toss to Chris Manno.

Nate Romig tied the game for a moment with the first of four touchdown receptions. The speedy receiver caught a crossing pattern and raced 12 yards for the score. White broke the tie on the next play with his second kickoff return for a score this time for 49 yards.

Flowers dialed up another big play, this time connecting with Dan Kelly for a 45-yard touchdown as the first quarter expired.

“Even though they (the Revolution) haven’t won a game this season, we expected a dogfight,” Express Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski said after the game.

His team was definitely in a dogfight, after stopping the Revolution in the second quarter, the Express drove deep into Revolution territory. The Revolution pass rush forced Flowers into the first mistake of the game.

Pressured in the pocket, a seemingly harmless throwaway turned tragic as safety Devon White broke on the pass and intercepted the ball, and raced 45-yards for the touchdown.

“It all stems from the first quarter, the confidence,” Forsythe said. “Being able to see that we can do it, football is psychological, if it’s in your head that you can do it, and then you can do it.”

The unflappable Flowers responded by hooking up with Romig for the second time as the teams exchanged touchdowns two times before Revolution kicker Craig Pinto connected on a 27-yard field goal as the half ended.

One of the components of the Revolution’s offensive continuity was the improved play of quarterback Bill Winters. Winters completed 15 of 26 passes for 175 yards in the contest. Forsythe knew his quarterback had talent and it was just a matter of time before it showed on the field.

“I slowly brought him (Winters) in. I sat him his first game, gave him a couple of plays

The Revolution travel to Erie, PA to face the Erie Storm before returning home to the Mennen Arena May 22 to host the Richmond Raiders.

Still chasing their first win of the season Coach Forsythe pointed his final comments toward the improvement of his young team.

“I think the momentum should carry over,” Forsythe said. “We have improved from week to week, this (the Reading) was the championship team from last season that ruled over everyone. I think knowing how close we are (to winning) it (the momentum) has to carry over.”

For more information on the Revolution, visit their website njrevs.com.

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Final	1	2	3	4	T
Express (5-4)	21	19	14	17	71
Revolution (0-7)	20	23	19	7	69
		1st Quarter
R - E. White 50 yard kickoff return (Pinto kick) 13:56
E - Flowers 1 yard run (Rockhold kick) 10:21
R - Manno 2 yard pass from Winters (Pinto kick) 4:23
E - Romig 12 yard pass from Flowers (Rockhold kick) 2:00
R - E. White 49 yard kickoff return (kick failed) :53
E - Kelly 45 yard pass from Flowers (Rockhold kick) :00
		2nd Quarter
R - D. White 45 yard interception return (Pinto kick) 7:55
E - Romig 20 yard pass from Flowers (run failed) 4:51
R - Pfistner 15 yard run (Pinto kick) 2:03
E - Scherer 25 yard pass from Flowers (Rockhold kick) 1:00
R - Manno 30 yard pass from Winters (kick failed) :54
E - Romig 38 yard pass from Flowers (kick failed) :40
R - Pinto 27 yard FG -:00
		3rd Quarter
E - Flowers 1 yard run (Rockhold kick) 13:52
R - Martin 8 yard pass from Winters (Pinto kick) 10:24
R - Winters 3 yard run (kick failed) 8:32
E - Romig 27 yard pass from Flowers (Rockhold kick) 5:27
R - Martin 7 yard pass from Winters (kick failed) :41
		4th Quarter
E - Flowers 2 yard run (Flowers run) 11:22
R - E. White 6 yard pass from Winters (Pinto kick) 5:17
E - Flowers 4 yard run (Flowers run) :53
E - Safety field goal blocked out of end zone - :02