A Mackenzie Anthony hattrick elevated River Light FC against Bavarian United as they defeated the Minnesota club 6-0. Battling through a 37 minute stalemate, River Light eventually pushed the right buttons to score three goals in both halves at Spartan Athletic Park.
“I think our team definitely outplayed them in the beginning, but it was still a little bit difficult because they had a box in the midfield so we were outnumbered there,” midfielder Olivia Duray said.
Following some disconnection in the Bavarian defense, Devin Lynch recovered a dangerous ball from the backline, sliping a pass behind the defense for an attentive Anthony who timed her run perfectly and beat the keeper at their far post.
“There was just a bunch of space behind the lines and Mac (Anthony) was able to get in there and Devin (Lynch) was able to read those passing lanes so it worked out pretty well,” Duray said.
River Light continued to take advantage of the open passing lanes as Ellie Egeland finished off a counter attack that started from the back, beating the keeper eerily similar to the way that Anthony did just seven minutes prior.
Final third pressure helped the Lights score their third goal, as a precise cross from Edgeland was headed home by Anthony, another great collaboration between the two just before the end of the first half.
Anthony wouldn’t have to wait long for her hattrick as she found it for her seventh goal of the season. In the 61st minute, a bad pass from the Bavarian backline left Anthony in a good position to score off a header.
Just three minutes later, Lynch sustained a ball in the center of the field, pushing and pulling the her marker while making space for herself. Crossing a ball forward to Anya Gulbrandson who ran past the defense, tricking and sidestepping past the keeper for the Lights fifth of the game.
“As we were getting more and more goals, we utilized our time smarter and we were able to just really possess, find the good combination passes and really just take our time getting back to front to goal,” goalkeeper Blythe Braun said.
Adding an exclamation point towards the end of the game, Bella Najera ran at the Bavarian defense and took a powerful right footed effort that scored River Lights final goal of the game.
River Light stay in Aurora as they host RKC Third Coast at Spartan Athletic Park.
As the Lights continue to fight for the top of the Heartland Division, these final matches will decide whether River Light’s season spills into the playoffs, or ends in the regular season.
Join us for some Father’s day action at 7p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park!
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