May 26, 2022
USL-W Regular Season Match
Midwest United FC Soccer Complex, Kentwood, MI

Faith Wasn’t Enough

Four days after the loss in Louisville, City traveled to Grand Rapids.  Sitting in 7th place, the task before them was not an easy one.  Midwest United was in 3rd place with a two-match record of one win and one draw.  In City’s three previous matches against them, United have won all, outscoring City 8 goals to 4.  It was here at the Midwest United FC Soccer Complex that City played its first match – a friendly in 2020, losing that by a 3-1 score.  The second match of four road games against what has been historically an unbeatable opponent.  City needed faith.

Midwest United lined up with this starting eleven:

Lauren Kozal – GK
Olivia Albert – D
Megan Sullivan – D
Bria Schrotenboer – D
Matea Diekema – D
Paige Eli – D
Anna Bennett – M
Isabelle Gilmore – M
Avery Lockwood – M
Regan Dalton – M
Elle Otto – F

The Detroit City FC Starting XI

Front Row, Left to Right.

Gabby Tremonti – Defender
Faith Webber – Midfielder
Gabby Schriver – Goalkeeper
Brynn Gardner – Forward
Ellie Pool – Forward

Back Row, Left to Right.

Emilie Gardner – Defender
Brooke Sleeva – Midfielder
Madison Duncan – Midfielder
Shannon McCarthy – Midfielder
Ally Childers – Midfielder
Elisa Baeron – Defender, Captain

The afternoon high of 75-degrees dropped after a downpour around the five o’clock hour.  By 6:30, the rain had passed, and the cloudy evening was a humid 70-degrees.  The match kicked off as the neighborhood birds chirped from their trees.  Both teams went at each other in the early stages and Detroit struck for goal first.  In the 13th minute, a clearing volley from the City zone dropped in behind the Midwest defense.  Faith Webber outpaced the trailing defender, forcing Loren Kozal, the Midwest keeper, to rush forward.  Kozal made contact first, kicking the ball into Faith’s shin.  The ball ricocheted past the keeper and the momentum carried it into the open goal.

This was Faith’s first start of the season, and second appearance.  She subbed in for Rylee Clark in the 71st minute in City’s home opener against Kalamazoo FC, and scored what would have been the winning goal but for an offside call.  Having played two seasons at Delta College in University Center, Michigan (within the Bay City, Saginaw, Midland triangle), Faith led the nation in goals (24) and assists (12) in just 12 matches last year.  She was named MVP of the national championship after scoring six goals with three assists over three matches and earned All-American and All-League honors.  Faith transferred to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah for the coming season.

Down a goal, Midwest United pressed and played with urgency.  The result was an 18th minute tally by Elle Otto when she was the recipient of a long ball played by Matea Diekama out of the Midwest zone.  Otto got in behind the defenders and got in alone on Gabby Schriver, beating her with a well-placed shot to Gabby’s right.

Though City continued to work and generate possession in the Midwest zone, Midwest’s second goal was emblematic of the difference between the two squads.  In the Midwest zone, City would possess the ball but suddenly find passing lanes shut down, forcing hurried attempts or defensive clearings.  In the 29th minute, Midwest took possession within the 18-yard box, with 3-4 touch passes finding each other.  Avery Lockwood delivered the final pass to Anna Bennett who then slotted it beyond Gabby to give Midwest a 2-1 lead.  Then it got worse when Jennifer Blitchok scored in the 45th minute for Midwest United to cap off the first half.

In the second half, Kenna White and Alia Frederick subbed in for Brooke Sleeva and Emilie Gardner, adding more offense to City’s attack. Gabby Schriver kept City in the match, making big saves like at the 62nd minute when Avery Lockwood took a shot from the top of the box that bent in toward the net.  Gabby pushed it over the bar.  More changes were made in the 77th minute with Brynn Gardner, Madison Duncan, and Ally Chlders making way for Isabella Sabo, Margaret Berry, and Emma Bowman.  A minute later, Kayla Addison stepped in for Faith Webber.  Unfortunately, the offense generated by the changes could not chip away at the Midwest lead, and City fell 3-1.

The City Player of the Match was Faith Webber.

STATS:

Midwest United FC 3, Detroit City FC 1
DCFC: Faith Weber 13′
MUFC: Elle Otto (Matea Diekema) 18′
MUFC: Anna Bennett (Avery Lockwood) 29′
MUFC: Jennifer Blitchok (Megan Sullivan) 45′

ATTENDANCE:  ?

•  City had 7 shots – Madison Duncan (2), Alia Frederick (2), Faith Webber, Brynn Gardner, Elisa Baeron
• Midwest United had 15 shots.
• Gabby Schriver recorded 5 saves for City; Lauren Kozal was credited with 3 saves for United.
• City committed 11 fouls, Midwest committed 6.

Winless in four, next up for City was Flint City AFC up I-75 in three days.

GALLERY