Cleveland, Ohio – After a first-half goal by forward Kenna White, Detroit City FC was able to come up with a couple of goal-saving defensive stops in the final minutes to come home from Cleveland with three points for a second time this season in a 1-0 win over Cleveland Force SC.
DCFC put pressure on Cleveland in the first minute of the first half as forwards Adelle Francis and White both put quality shots on goal but were stopped short by Force goalkeeper Lillian Morgan.
Cleveland answered back with a strike on goal of their own five minutes later but Le Rouge keeper Deighton Wamer was on top of the shot to record her first save of the season in her first start of the year.
Wamer continued to be in form throughout the half as a shot by the Force required Wamer to dive to the far post side but her extension was just enough to keep the score knotted at zeroes at the 24 minute mark.
The first yellow card of the match was given to Detroit City defender Maia Soulis 29 minutes into the match for a tackle in the midfield.
Similar to their first match in Cleveland earlier this season, DCFC broke the scoring open on a pinpoint cross from defender Rayann Pruss that set up White perfectly in the middle of the box for her header that found the bottom left hand corner of the net 37 minutes into the first 45 minute period.
The second 45 got started with almost another midfielder Syd Blomquist free kick beauty strike but substitute goalie Kiera Sarka’s extension was just enough to send the ball over the crossbar and out of play which kept the score at 1-0 at that point.
DCFC kept the pressure on in the early stages of the second half as Francis found herself one-on-one on the left side with Sarka but Francis’ shot was denied as Sarka made an incredible split save to keep their deficit at one.
A tactical foul made by Francis in the 58th minute led to Le Rouge’s second yellow of the evening.
DCFC continued to dominate the possession battle throughout the second stanza as Francis found herself with yet another chance in the box 71 minutes in but her shot was just a bit too high as it sailed off the crossbar.
After subbing on at halftime, Detroit City goalkeeper Madison Vukas came up clutch with a quick instinct save down on her left at the 75th minute mark to keep the one goal advantage going for Le Rouge.
After some close calls, Cleveland finally saw the ball find the back of the net but the attacker was ruled offside to keep the equalizer off the scoreboard 81 minutes in.
As time winded down, the Force found themselves with back-to-back opportunities to knot the game at one apiece but a goal line clearance followed by a big stop from Vukas kept Cleveland off the board and ultimately gave them the loss.
With the win, Detroit City moves to 3-3-3 on the season. The three points moves DCFC to third in the Central Conference Great Lakes Division with a major matchup looming against the top of the table Flint City Bucks this weekend at Keyworth. Tickets are still available and can be found here.
DCFC Starting Lineup: Wamer (GK) (45’), Smith, Karolak, Soulis, Pruss, Stephan, Pagett, Blomquist, White, Francis (72’), Martin (72’)
DCFC Used Subs: Vukas (GK) (45’), Addison (72’), Britain (72’)
Goalscorers: White (37’)
Bookings: Soulis (30’), Francis (58’)
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on Twitter and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
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Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki
(Sports Information Director, Jarrett.Maki@detcityfc.com)
