DETROIT — Detroit City FC heads to the top of the Great Lakes Division after a 4-1 victory over AFC Ann Arbor on Saturday. A three-goal first half propelled Detroit to victory on a cloudy day at Keyworth Stadium.
Head Coach David Dwaihy made two changes to the starting lineup after a 0-0 draw on Tuesday against Kalamazoo FC, bringing Ella Offer and Faith Webber into the starting XI for Ella Kane and Drew Martin.
Both teams were evenly matched within the first ten minutes, as both sides dealt with turnovers in the midfield. Momentum started to shift toward DCFC in the 12th minute, as Faith Webber had two outstanding shots on goal, one going straight to the keeper and the other hitting the post.
Once Detroit seized momentum, there was no turning back. A Sophia Romine screamer of a shot in the 13th minute finds the far corner of the net to give DCFC the 1-0 lead early on.
Just minutes later, Romine sent a cross into the box that found Faith Webber wide open to head the ball into the back of the net, and 18 minutes in, Detroit City had a 2-0 lead.
After going up 2-0, Le Rouge did not sit back. They continued to push for a third goal. In the 30th minute, Webber’s shot from inside the box went just wide of the post, and off the restart of play, Ann Arbor would work their way down the field and get a breakaway opportunity. Vivian Purmonen found the back of the net for Ann Arbor, and Detroit’s lead was cut to 2-1.
Detroit was forced into an early change in the 34th minute as Drew Martin came on for Maia Soulis.
DCFC was awarded a free kick from 25 yards out in the 36th minute. Hannah Crum sent the ball perfectly into the box and found Kate Childers, who headed the ball into the net to give Detroit a 3-1 lead heading into the half.
Detroit made one substitution coming out of the break, seeing Danielle Stephan join the action for Tatiana Mason.
Le Rouge was awarded another free kick in the 54th minute, and Hannah Crum once again lined up to take it. Her kick would get past the wall and bounce off the goalkeeper’s hands before finding the back of the net, and Detroit City sent a 4-1 lead.
Detroit made a double change in the 63rd minute, as Lilley Bosley and Nina Ferraro entered the match for Hannah Crum and Emily Pagett.
Detroit continued to press the Ann Arbor back line and ensured Ann Arbor had no more attacking opportunities in this game.
With the scoreline, there would be no extra time, and Detroit City would walk away with a 4-1 victory, sending them to the top of the table in the Great Lakes Division.
Detroit City heads on the road to face Cleveland Force SC on Wednesday. Le Rouge will return to Keyworth on Saturday to face Midwest United FC. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.; tickets can be purchased at www.detcityfc.com/tickets.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
Detroit City FC Starting XI: Gabrielle Schriver (70’), Ella Offer (70’), Avery Peters, Acadia Murphy, Maia Soulis (34’), Emily Pagett (63’), Kate Childers, Tatiana Mason (46’), Sophia Romine, Hannah Crum (63’), Faith Webber (70’)
Detroit City FC Used Subs: Allison LaPoint (70’), Drew Martin (34’), Dani Stephan (46’), Chloe Barnthouse (70’), Nina Ferraro (63’), Alexandria Tefend (70’), Lilley Bosley (63’)
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Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki (Sports Information Director, jarrett.maki@detcityfc.com)
