Win puts team in 2nd place after three games
Chicago Dutch Lions FC (1-1-1) made a bit of program history at Benedictine University on Wednesday night. The Lions came away with its first-ever program win, defeating the Green Bay Glory (0-0-3) with 3-1. With the victory, the Lions now move into second place in conference play, as they picked up three points and now sit only two back atop the division lead ahead of the next game against Chicago City SC on Saturday.
The match was won in the first-half as the Lake Michigan Conference rivals traded scoring chances early on prior to the Dutch Lions FC’s implementation of its offensive attack. The first Dutch Lions FC goal was scored just four minutes into the match off of a feed from Sophia Senese that was tapped in by Jenna Lundgren. About 20 minutes later, the Lions extended its lead with a goal from Senese that was brought in by Ruby Hastie. The third goal was the one that left the Glory in a wide hole entering halftime, as Abby Schwartz scored off of a penalty kick in the 43rd minute to give the Lions a comfortable 3-0 lead going into halftime. The trio spoke about the significance of getting their first win after the game, as Schwartz’s goal proved to be the game-winner: “We’re excited. We’re happy that we got our first [home] win, especially for everyone that supported us. It’s such a great feeling.”
While the Glory were able to cut the deficit to 3-1, the Lions held their own behind the efforts of goalkeeper, Mika Fisher, to secure the 3-1 win.
GM Bryan Sutherland was ecstatic when the final horn sounded at the end of the match: “It feels amazing [to get the win],” Sutherland said. “I mean, I’m so proud of these girls, our staff, our coaching. We’re trying to create a beautiful thing here for girls to go to the next level and have a pathway to [go pro]. It was just exciting to watch. I mean, we have an awesome facility here at Benedictine. We have a great staff that’s supporting us. I’m full of pride right now, and I was in tears when the final horn sounded.”
The Lions’ next match is Saturday, June 12 at Benedictine University at 7 p.m., as the focus now shifts to our neighbor Chicago City SC and earning a second-straight home win.