Decatur FC ties UFA Gunners 2-2

For just the third time in team history, Decatur FC did not win a game. 

Instead, the team recorded its second-ever draw in three years of existence as Decatur FC drew, 2-2, with United Fútbol Academy. The Gunners, who were tenacious the entire game, scored the tying goal with just two minutes remaining in regulation.

“It’s always a good opponent, playing the Gunners,” Decatur FC forward Dylan Driver said. “We know it’s going to be a challenge. … A point is a point. Obviously, you always hope for a win, but that’s a great opponent,” she said. “We can only go up from here and just keep working hard. This is just motivation to come out even stronger [in] the next game.” 

Within a minute of kickoff, the Gunners were swarming Decatur’s zone. UFA quickly got an opportunity off the aggressive high press but was shut down by Decatur’s solid back end. Decatur quickly rebutted the Gunners’ attack with long balls out of its zone, breaking the press and allowing them to get upfield and pressure UFA in return. 

Decatur FC scores first

It didn’t take long for the high-flying Decatur offense to break through. UFA goaltender Mia Riddick made an initial save on a drive down the left side. However, Riddick didn’t secure the ball, leaving it to rebound right to Decatur FC forward Emma Chapman, who easily knocked it home past the prone keeper to put Decatur FC on the board 1-0 in the 11th minute. 

Decatur needed to be sharp, though, because the Gunners were back on the attack. Under a minute later, UFA flew up the right side and beat Decatur, opening a lane to the goal. Luckily for Decatur FC, goalkeeper Nikki Bidun threw herself to the ground to cover the near post, sending the ball back to the safety of the sideline.

Driver puts Decatur up 2-0

Decatur FC did not want a tied game. In the 27^th minute, the aptly named Driver motored down the right side of the field, flying past her defender. One-on-one with Reddick at close range, she buried the ball into the back of the net in the 27^th minute for a 2-0 Decatur lead. 

“It was a little bit of an awkward ball over on the right sideline, and I saw that one of their defenders was a little bit out of position, so I held my line and just waited for Maya to play a great ball through, and was able to beat a defender one-v-one and find the inside post,” Driver said of the second goal.

Decatur FC shut the Gunners down for the remainder of the first half. With ten minutes remaining, it even looked like Decatur had scored another goal, but it was waved off. 

UFA entered the second half with renewed vigor. Decatur FC switched goaltenders at halftime, and keeper Katie Oakley needed to be sharp early as the Gunners pressed. The game became more physical, as well, with players on both teams receiving a yellow card early in the half. 

UFA owns second half

UFA was eventually rewarded for their pressure in the 59^th minute when they sent a ball arcing into the top corner to score. The Gunners had Decatur FC on its back foot for much of the second half as UFA’s ferocity intensified. Decatur defender Jazmin Ferguson was instrumental, stepping up and shutting down multiple Grade-A opportunities from the Gunners.

With time winding down, Decatur thought it might be safe, but that wasn’t the case. UFA tied the game with two minutes left in regulation.

What’s next for Decatur FC

UFA has consistently been one of Decatur’s most difficult opponents. In the three games they’ve played against each other, the games have been decided by one, two, and now zero goals. Decatur frequently beats teams by six goals, and it’s a rare sight to see them locked in competition this close. They’ll have an opportunity to get back in the win column next week against the Nashville Rhythm. 

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