Dayton Dutch Lions FC's women's team twice held the lead against Columbus Eagles FC, and twice Columbus found a way to level the score. The Women’s Premier Soccer League match ended in a 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon.
With the draw, the Dutch Lions [0-1-2] are still searching for a first win in the WPSL season. “It’s a point. It’s still a positive. There are definitely things we can build off of from here,” said Dayton Dutch Lions FC Head Coach Bradley Schluter.
The positives began in earnest in the 23rd minute for Dayton. Dayton forward Marcella Sizer and Columbus defender Monique Reventlow raced into the box to win a long through ball. Sizer was able to gain position and scored from a short distance. The Dutch Lions carried the 1-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Coming out of the break, both teams ramped up the pressure and fans at DOC stadium were treated to end-to-end soccer. The Eagles pressure forced the Lions into a costly mistake early in the second half. Columbus played a ball into the box. A Dayton player got a foot on it, but fired into her own goal in an attempt to make a clearance. “It felt like we defended pretty well except for some silly mistakes that resulted in goals on their end,” said Schluter.
The teams played even until the 72nd minute, when Dayton regained the lead. Bridie Herman lofted a cross from the right side to the far post. Laney Huber ran onto the service and finished from close range. But the lead was short-lived. In the 76th minute, Marike Mousset carried the ball to the top of the box. The Lions failed to close the space, and Mousset rifled a shot into the net.
“It felt like we created enough to go and win this game,” said Schluter. “Some things just didn’t go our way today."