The Dayton Dutch Lions FC women's team got a convincing result against the Women’s Premier Soccer League Midwestern Conference leaders on Saturday afternoon. The Lions toppled FC Pride by a score of 3-1.
“It feels good,” said Dayton Head Coach Bradley Schluter. “We’ve been on the unlucky end of some performances. There were times this season we didn’t capitalize on opportunities. Today we did. Our record [3-4-3] is not indicative of this group,” said Schluter.
Dayton started making the most of its opportunities early in the match. Jessica Sheldon played a ball into the box from the left flank. Lauren Bastian redirected it into goal with a single touch, and the Dutch Lions had a lead before 2 minutes ticked off the clock.
FC Pride leveled the score early in the second half. Addie Chester displayed some nifty footwork to create space in a congested box before chipping over the Dutch Lions FC goalkeeper.
The Lions regained the lead a few minutes later. Bastian split the FC Pride back line with a well-paced through ball. Laney Huber ran onto it and slotted it home. Bastian added the insurance goal with 20 minutes left in the match. She took a pass from Nicoletta Anuci and blasted a strike into the back of the net. It was a breakout night, statistically, for Bastian, who was involved in all three of Dayton’s goals.
“Tonight (Lauren) was not a surprise,” said Schluter, who has been watching Bastian progress since he coached her at Centerville High School. “Lauren has been one of our better attacking threats all summer."
Dayton will finish the WPSL regular season with matches on the road against the Columbus Eagles FC and Lady Victory.
