Two second-half goals propelled the Columbus Eagles FC over the Michigan Lions on Sunday.
“They just came out and said ‘we aren’t going to lose today,’” Eagles head coach Mark Wise said about his team after the match.
The Eagles controlled most of the action in the first half and kept the pressure on Michigan and challenged goalkeeper Lindsey Armstrong, who came up with multiples saves throughout the first half to keep the score even. The Eagles found their best chance on a Lara Ross shot from distance that nearly found the top corner of the net, but Armstrong went full-extension to stop the attempt.
Despite multiple attempts from the Eagles, the Lions would be able to strike first, as Casey McMillan got separation from her defender, sent off a knuckled shot that found the top corner of the night, out of the outstretched arms of Eagles goalkeeper Molly Schriber.
The Eagles came out of the half time with aggression and controlled the action the rest of the way. Eryn Weber would eventually find the answer for Columbus in the 50th, as she was able to get her shot through a crowded box and rolled it into the net to even the score at one all.
Despite getting the equalizer, the Eagles would continue to press. Eryn Weber would get yet another chance from outside the box, which forced another Armstrong save. The Lions would get a dangerous cross from forward Kayla Addison and Molly Schriber would have to come up with a brave save of her own to preserve the tie later on.
The late stages of the game arrived, and the Eagles seemingly could not quite catch a break. Katherine Carey, who came on as a substitute, absorbed a slide tackle, regained possession and let off a cracker of a shot that clanged off the crossbar, leaving her to put her arms over her head in frustration at the missed opportunity in the 73rd minute.
The Lions nearly made Columbus pay for the missed chance. Michigan captain Casey Westveer had a ball roll just in front of her at the top of the box, and she teed off on it, but Schriber was able to position herself directly in front of the attempt and get the stop.
The Eagles would get the answer in the 88th. This time Katherine Carey took a free kick, deflected it directly off of a defender, and Emma Ranalli was able to collect the rebound and push it into the net.
“You can’t script those things, you can’t plan those things you just give enough pressure and eventually a good thing happens.”
The Eagles would then preserve the lead, facing the biggest danger on a through ball that Schriber had to hustle to gain clearance and as the ball hit the ground, the final whistle blew, giving the Eagles a 2-1 victory, second victory in team history as well as for the season, and also marks the first multiple-goal game in team history.
“Today we deserved it, that’s for sure,” Wise said after the match.
With the win, the Eagles moved ahead of the Michigan Lions in the standings and are no longer in the bottom of the table and also have a chance to move up again next week as the Eagles take on the Cincinnati Saints next Sunday at home.
