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State pro notes: Novakovich, Reading Under-18s keep rolling

02/25/2015, 5:00pm CST
By ERIC ANDERSON
Andrija Novakovich

The goals keep coming for Andrija Novakovich (Muskego).

Novakovich set up the equalizer just after halftime, then scored what proved to be the winner in the 62nd minute as Reading rallied past Premier League Under-18 South Group leaders Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday in Stoke d'Abernon, Surrey, England.

Novakovich has scored five of the past six matches and has nine goals in 15 appearances this season for the Royals (9-8-3), who are unbeaten in their past seven games and have risen to fifth place in the 12-team group. Chelsea (14-4-3) hadn't lost in 11 matches in all competitions since a 2-1 loss to Reading on Nov. 1.

Trailing by a goal at the interval, Reading pulled level in the 52nd when Jake Sheppard took a pass from Novakovich and scored from 25 yards out. Ten minutes later, Novakovich latched onto a ball, got around defender Josh Grant, rounded goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney and slotted home into the vacant goal to give the visitors the lead.

On Twitter: @AndrijaNovakov3

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