USL-W: Detroit City FC steals one away from AFC Flint

BY DAN STICKRADT

WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR

stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com

Twitter: @MiSoccerNetwork

FLINT, Mich. – Quality chances were few and far between Saturday.

So, when Emily Paggett had a chance, she buried it.

The current Western Michigan University forward and former Michigan Jaguars Girls Academy standout from South Lyon, Mich., one-timed a shot from just outside the 18 that sailed under the crossbar and into the back of the net in the 59th minute. That goal was the only mark on the scoreboard and the Detroit City FC defense made it stand in a 1-0 USL-W League season opening victory over home-standing arch-rival Flint City AFC at historic Flint Atwood Stadium.

“That goal was so nice,” admitted Detroit City FC coach David Dwaihy.

Detroit City FC’s Lily Jeakle (Nationals Girls Academy), a freshman in high school at Lake Orion and a top-50 youth prospect in the class of 2027, corralled a long pass from midfield by Aubree Ciampa (Nationals Girls Academy) and dribbled down into the right corner. Jeakle was able to find enough space to slot a sharp pass over to the center of the field to an awaiting Paggett, who redirected her shot past Flint City AFC goalkeeper Peighton Northrup.

“She’s a real difference maker,” continued Dwaihy on Jeakle. The area play where it happened she kind of had to make something happen out of nowhere and I think the touch she took to kind of get in behind the Flint defender who was really in tight. She was really creative and thoughtful and did exactly what was needed. She had the presence in mind to drive to the end line and play that great ball that we want our attacking players to play. And what I finish. Paggett was calm and collective with the finish. It was a beautiful goal right off the training grounds in terms of when you do crossing and finishing drills. That’s the ball you want them to play back (to the middle) and that’s the type of (shot) who went across the body before the shot. We were thrilled with it.”

The aforementioned Northrup (Saline/Michigan Hawks/Ohio State University) finished with six saves on the night for Flint City AFC but her talented offensive side could not solve Detroit City FC’s version of the Rubix Cube, Gabby Shriver.

They Meet: Flint City AFC forward Landis Canada collides with Detroit City FC goalkeeper Gabby Shriver while fighting for a loose ball in the box during Saturday’s USL-W league game Saturday night. COURTESY PHOTO | FLINT CITY FC -- AMANADA LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY

Schriver, a former standout of Novi High School and Michigan State University, was sterling between the pipes after making eight saves and routinely snaring crosses and set pieces out of the air before they could enter harm’s way. She notched the shutout along with stellar defensive play from the Le Rouge’s backline and midfield.

“Gabby’s just really solid back there. She’s a lot older and very experienced in goal being out of college a few years now,” said Dwaihy. “We know we can count on her. She’s really consistent in goal.”

The two teams tied 2-2 last May early in the 2023 season and Flint AFC defeated Detroit City FC 5-0 in the second meeting last July to clinch the Great Lakes Division title in the USL-W League. Flint AFC (0-1-0, 0-1-0) lost its first conference regular season game in 23 months.

Flint City AFC finished 9-0-3 in USL-W League play last season before losing to eventual national champion Indy 11 in the round of 16 last July. This was the first league loss since Flint City’s inaugural 2022 campaign.

Detroit City FC (1-0-0, 1-0-0) finished third in the division last year in a close race and di not advance to the USL-W League national tournament.

“We’re please with the results, obviously,” offered Dwaihy. “There’s so much work ahead. This league and our conference in particular we felt last year that any team could beat any team on any given night. I’m happy to get three points under our belt and at the same time we set ourselves up for a really good showdown next week. We know they are going to bring it.”

The two teams will face again May 18 in their second USL-W League match of the campaign.

(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)