Photo courtesy of Reading United (Action in Motion Photography)

On Sunday night, PDL Mid Atlantic Division-leading Reading United FC faced the second place Ocean City Nor’Easters in a match that would determine whether Reading remained atop the standings or if OC overtook them. The rivalry between the two teams is a fierce one, but under Brendan Burke’s leadership, Reading had never lost to the Nor’Easters.

In a bruising game of contrasting styles, that streak looked to be coming to an end, as the Nor’Easters appeared to have come to Reading and grabbed the win with a goal against the run of play just before halftime. That is, until late second-half substitute Jason Plumhoff got his head to Shane Campbell’s cross and earned Reading a share off the points in the 86th minute.

With the tie, Reading retained the Mid-Atlantic Division lead and remained undefeated on the season, having given up only three goals in six games, while scoring nineteen.

Plumhoff, a rising junior at LaSalle University, actually played for Ocean City last season but has quickly embedded himself at Reading as a key contributor in 2013. Though his teammate Stephen Neumann is the more heralded player, Plumhoff is Reading’s top scorer (tied with Larry Ndjock and Mario Pinto Neto) with three goals and also leads the team with five assists. He is remarkably efficient, having scored his three goals on only six shots, and his game-tying goal against Ocean City came only a minute after he entered the game.

And netting that goal in this rivalry against his former team? Clutch. Worthy of being named Philadelphia Player of the Week.