DETROIT CITY FC BATTLES TO CHIPPY 0-0 DRAW ON THE ROAD TO KALAMAZOO FC, REMAINS UNDEFEATED IN W LEAGUE PLAY

Kalamazoo, Michigan — Le Rouge continued their 2024 USL W League campaign by heading to Kalamazoo on Tuesday evening to face Kalamazoo FC. DCFC continued their unbeaten start to the season as they battled to a 0-0 draw that saw a back-and-forth affair with a majority of the match being spent in the midfield.

Head Coach David Dwaihy made for four changes to his starting lineup from DCFC’s 1-0 win over Cleveland Force. Lily Jeakle, Lilley Bosley, Aubree Ciampa, and Ella Offer made way for Acadia Murphy, Kate Childers, Hannah Crum, and Ella Kane to enter the starting 11.

Le Rouge immediately looked to put pressure on the Kalamazoo goal, after Crum got an early chance in the second minute from a through ball from Emily Pagett, but Crum’s effort would only force a corner for Le Rouge.

As the match continued, DCFC gained territory in the Kalamazoo half. In the 13th minute, against the run of play, Kalamazoo had a huge chance to take the lead through their striker, who found herself one-on-one from 10 yards out but was unable to hit the target.

The middle twenty minutes saw a much more even tempo to the match, Kalamazoo defended valiantly and continued to gain territory off some dangerous long balls as they looked to put pressure on the DCFC backline.

In the 36th minute, Le Rouge got their best chance of the half through Kane and Pagett, who both fired goalbound shots within moments of each other, which called on Kalamazoo’s keeper to produce two big saves.

Le Rouge continued to pressure Kalamazoo’s goal as the first half dwindled but were unable to create a decisive chance as they headed into the break.

The start of the second half saw Kalamazoo look to turn the match on its head, creating multiple flash chances but nonemwere dangerous enough to test the Le Rouge goal.

Kalamazoo continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides as the half progressed spending more and more time in the DCFC defensive half.

In the 65th minute, a long ball led to a flick-on for Kalamazoo as their striker managed to fashion a shot on target that called on Gabrielle Schriver to make the diving save.

Four minutes later DCFC found themselves attacking the Kalamazoo goal through Ava Landstra, who found herself on the top of the 18-yard box wrapping an effort on target that was collected by the Kalamazoo keeper.

The final 20 minutes of the match saw Kalamazoo go searching for a winner constantly putting pressure on the DCFC 18-yard box. In the 86th minute, a big chance fell for Kalamazoo but Megan Miles and Ava Landstra defended valiantly to clear the danger.

The last chance of the match would come in the 90th minute for Sophia Romine who got herself onto a cross from Martin at the back post but the effort would be too tame to test the Kalamazoo keeper.

Detroit City returns to Keyworth on Saturday to face off against AFC Ann Arbor. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at www.detcityfc.com/tickets.

Detroit City FC Starting XI: Gabrielle Schriver, Maia Soulis (63’), Avery Peters, Acadia Murphy, Drew Martin, Emily Pagett (74’), Kate Childers (83’), Tatiana Mason (63’), Sophia Romine, Hannah Crum (63’), Ella Kane (74’).

Detroit City FC Used Subs: Ava Landstra (63’), Chloe Barthouse (63’), Allie Tefend (63’), Dani Stephan (74’), Nina Ferraro (74’), Kate Childers (83’)

For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.