In a thrilling back and forth game, FC Tucson Women managed to pull out a close 1-0 victory over Arizona Arsenal on Saturday night at Kino North Stadium.
Coming off of a 3-0 victory Friday night against in-city rival Real Salt Lake Arizona, FC Tucson (4-0-1) remained at Kino North to face the team just below them in the table.
Despite this game being the second in consecutive days for FC Tucson, the team was well up to the challenge AZ Arsenal presented.
Check out FC Tucson's first goal of the night by Milana Eyrich!
You can watch the rest of the match at the following link!https://t.co/K3TUC4iP2u pic.twitter.com/eTUqNr74bE— FC Tucson Women (@fctucsonwomen) June 9, 2024
Within the third minute, AZ Arsenal was threatening FC Tucson’s goal, prompting a save from Tucson’s keeper, Tindra Biedermann. A few minutes later, only the post saved FC Tucson from going down 1-0.
Despite both teams trading several attacks, AZ Arsenal was the one who was forcing the most saves out of their opponent’s keeper, as FC Tucson’s attackers were just barely off target throughout most of the first half.
The deadlock was broken in the 31st minute by Walden Grove High School alum Milana Eyrich, who capped off a fantastic FC Tucson attack that began down the right wing.
In a postgame interview, Eyrich, who is now at New Mexico State, emphasized that the team’s gameplan was to attack the natural gaps between defenders that are created when an opponent is playing in a 4-4-2 or a 3 center back formation. And attack they did.
The speedy Eyrich was one of many FC Tucson attackers to test AZ Arsenal, although ultimately it was only her right footed effort that was able to get past AZ Arsenal’s keeper.
Your starting lineup for tonight's match against Arizona Arsenal! Can't make the game? You can watch the match live at this link! https://t.co/K3TUC4iP2u pic.twitter.com/iOJunyUux6
— FC Tucson Women (@fctucsonwomen) June 9, 2024
The second half consisted of more tense action, with both teams continuing to pepper each other’s keeper with shots on goal, but no end product to show for it. Both defenses were quite active all night, making plenty of last ditch tackles to thwart the opposition, and both earning yellow cards in the process. FC Tucson’s came in the 12th minute, while AZ Arsenal was not booked until the 75th.
The win puts FC Tucson at joint top of the table alongside SC del Sol, with each side in the WPSL Desert Conference winning 13 of a possible 15 points from their first five games.
Now halfway through the season, FC Tucson’s defense has only conceded two goals, with both of those coming against their rival in the table during a 2-2 draw. After a third-place finish in its previous campaign, FC Tucson is hoping that such a strong start to the season will propel them to an even stronger finish at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
FC Tucson will play Utah Royals FC Arizona in its next two games. The first game is Saturday on the road against the Royals at 7 p.m.. The teams will then meet June 22 at Kino North at 7 p.m.
All Sports Tucson sports writing intern Ashton Reid is a Pima Community College student who hails from Atlanta. He is pursuing a future reporting on sports.
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