Columbus Eagles fall late to FC Dayton 1-0
The loss marks the first in the Tony Daniels era, and first in over a calendar year.
The Columbus Eagles experienced something Friday night, they hadn’t in 687 days, defeat in WPSL play. The Eagles fell to visiting FC Dayton 1-0 as Savannah Conner (Lehigh University) scored the game-winner for the visitors in the 83rd minute.
Columbus began the match on the front foot with sustained possession in the attacking third. Alivia Payne and Nikki Cox nearly linked up in the opening quarter hour. The Eagles also got notable contributions from players like Angela Boyce (University of Akron) and Cameryn Susey (Eastern Michigan).
The match shifted to one that was contested at midfield with both teams trading possession. Dayton mounted an attack of its own forcing saves from Columbus goalkeeper Olivia Alford.
Both teams returned to the field following the halftime intermission with a renewed focus on capturing the lead and taking home the win. FC Dayton attacked early on with a persistent attack that Columbus on its heels. The Eagles attempted to hit back, but the stingy Dayton defense frustrated Columbus as shots came from distance or were off target.
FC Dayton got its breakthrough when Conner floated a shot toward the back post that beat Alford and gave her team the lead with six minutes plus stoppage time to go.
The Eagles mounted a furious attack in the dying moments, but couldn’t convert and fell by the 1-0 scoreline.