Eagles Draw on the Road With FC Pride

Columbus Eagles FC went on the road Sunday and earned a vital point in a 2-2 draw with FC Pride of Indianapolis. The Eagles led for much of the second half before Pride equalized in the 74th minute.

Sam Dewey scored both goals for Pride (2-0-1), including the match’s opening goal in the 22nd minute. The Eagles responded with a goal from a free kick just before halftime – Micaela Powers took the free kick, which was hit with such pace that it forced a rebound, and Amber Kern slotted it home to level the score. 

After halftime, Columbus goalkeeper Hannah Sargent made a big double-save from close range and the Eagles used that momentum to rattle off one of its best stretches of the season. Kelly DeNiro hit a long-range effort off the crossbar, and the rebound came to Rachel MacLeod, whose shot was handled in the box. A penalty was awarded and Powers coolly finished it to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead. Powers and Kern both registered their second goals of the season 

Dewey scored in the 74th minute to even the score once more, and then Sargent and the Eagles defense withstood an onslaught of Pride attacks and shots until the final whistle blew. Sargent made two point-blank saves to preserve the draw.

The teams played most of the match in a downpour, which made the turf slick and footing tougher. Despite the conditions, the Eagles picked up a big point, which keeps them in the hunt in the Valley division. Columbus is 2-1-2 (8 points) and sits third in the division behind Motor City FC and Cleveland Ambassadors, who both stayed unbeaten with wins over the weekend.

The Eagles return home Saturday, June 16, when they host Empire United of Rochester, New York, at 4 p.m. at Otterbein University’s Memorial Stadium. The club has designated the match as “Save The Crew” night, to help support the movement to keep the Crew in Columbus. Tickets are on sale now for $10 and will be available for the same price at the gate on matchday.