By Rodrigo Perez
River Light put eight past Chicago Dutch Lions in home opener
In USL W, River Light FC ran rampant against the Chicago Dutch Lions FC, defeating their facility roommates 8-0 on Sunday evening at Spartan Athletic Complex.
“Eight goals any day is going to make any manager happy but what I really value was the way that we went about it. It wasn't just direct play, it was an attractive style,” Head coach Charlie Latshaw said.
It didn’t take long for River Light to break through as TCU’s Bella Diorio put the first of many past the Chicago Dutch Lions after 11 minutes of action. Some good build-up play ended with a great tussle in the penalty box from Diorio as she maneuvered past a couple of defenders to slot in River Light’s first of the season.
Playing from the back and using the full pitch, Michigan State’s Mackenzie Anthony retained a ball from outside the 18-yard box and snuck a shot past four Dutch Lions to score River Lights second of the night.
With 21 minutes left in the half, River Light put up their third goal thanks to Mizzou’s Olivia Chianelli’s solo effort that ended in the top right corner. Picking up a first half brace, Anthony scored her second thanks to a perfectly placed corner kick that ended in the back of the net.
“She [Anthony] is one of the older ones in this group. So a lot of the younger ones look up to her and she was exceptional on her hold up play and her pressing,” Latshaw said. “She's an ideal number nine for us and she's a great leader in the locker room.”
“And a great example of the types of players, characteristics-wise as a human being, that we're looking to bring to River Light,” Latshaw added.
Leading at the half by four, River Light and Anthony showed no mercy as they dealt more damage with a locker room goal just 33 seconds from the start of the second half and her fourth in the 51st minute. Those Four goals were enough for Anthony to be named the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard POTM.
Minnesota Gophers Mya Nugent and Eastern Illinois’ Alex Tetteh put the finishing touches and wrapped up the 8-0 victory for River Light.
“We were pleased that there were so many people there to support us and just the environment in general was certainly up to league standards,” Latshaw said. “If every game we can get eight goals. It'll be a really nice summer.”
Up next, River Light will stay put for a duel against Minnesota Aurora, a team that hasn’t lost a regular season game during their short two year history.
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