Women’s First Team Falls Short in an Exciting Match vs Cleveland Force
By Zander Plizga
Cleveland, Ohio – Steel City FC moved to 1-2-0 on the season after a back-and-forth 3-2 loss in Cleveland Sunday evening. The women started the game with intensity, striking twice in the early minutes to take an immediate two-goal lead. Unfortunately, they could not hold on against a Cleveland Force team that has not lost at home in nearly two seasons. The Force applied a lot of late-game pressure, were awarded a penalty, and then scored two outstanding goals in the final five minutes of the match to secure yet another home victory.
Ruby Morgan (Eastern Kentucky ’28) had a great performance despite the loss, finishing with 10 saves, including a few difficult ones early in the match to keep Steel City ahead. The three goals conceded were simply quality from Cleveland, with some near-unsavable shots. One long-range top corner snipe, a bullet from 8 yards out that went top corner, and the conversion of a second-half penalty that just beat Morgan’s outstretched arm.
Photo Cred: Rocco Donnelly
Capitalizing Early
Steel City FC wins a set piece in a dangerous area. Coco Dorfman (Marquette ’28) lined up and fired a shot that deflected off the wall. The ball bounced around before a Steel City player fired a shot that the opposing goalkeeper blocked. Sydney Chantos (RMU ’29) rushed onto the loose ball and passed it into the net calmly, giving Steel City a 1-0 lead within the first five minutes of action.
Not even a full ten minutes later, Steel City was back on the scoreboard. Samantha Miller (Kent State ’27) received on a turn and flicked Abigail Stager (Maryland ‘28) in one-on-one with the opposing center back. Stager slowed up the play, cut inside near the top of the eighteen, and threaded a ball between two into Chantos, who turned and slotted her second goal of the game into the bottom corner to put Steel City up 2-0 inside of 15 minutes.
Double Trouble
Sisters Emily Graeca (JMU ’28) and Lauren Graeca (Mercyhurst ’31) shared the field for the full 90 minutes tonight and provided real reliability on both sides of the ball. Their work rate on the defensive end was key in helping Steel City maintain structure and break out after long stretches without the ball.
Force Respond Late
Cleveland Force won a penalty in the 63rd minute on the counter, after an outstanding curling pass from Sophia Sindelar. The Force capitalized on the penalty, putting it just outside the reach of Morgan, who dove the right way. The force went on to score two more late goals in the final five minutes. Each was more ridiculous than the next. They found the back of the net from a curling shot on the right edge of the eighteen, which looped just over Morgan’s arm into the far corner. Then again, in added time, the force capitalized on the counter and rocketed one high near post past Morgan from close range.
Up Next
Steel City FC looks to bounce back Saturday, June 4th, where they take on Erie Sports Center at Gannon University Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. with the full game broadcast available HERE.