Decatur FC is so known for its offensive prowess that the concept of a goalkeeper battle is almost foreign to the club and its supporters. But that’s exactly what happened on Saturday night at Decatur High School, as the team needed a late goal from forward Sarah Greiner to beat Nashville Rhythm, 1-0.
Greiner praised goalkeeper Nicole Bidun’s performance, saying, “Nikki’s great. Love Nikki. She’s obviously great for us. She had some huge, huge, huge saves. Honestly, she should be really proud of herself.”
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First half push by Nashville
The Nashville Rhythm’s strategy was concentrated on the first half, as its heavy press strategies and attacks on every pass are too tiring to work for a full 90 minutes. The danger to their opponents is that the team can gain an insurmountable advantage early, and Nashville certainly seemed poised to do that against Decatur FC by breaking down Decatur’s attack by intercepting their passes and repeatedly turning them into attacking opportunities. Bidun was sharp and made several good saves early.
Early on, Decatur beat the heavy pressure and got a long ball into the offensive zone and onto the feet of forward Dylan Driver, who easily evaded Rhythm goalkeeper Demi Gronauer, but couldn’t bring the cross down onto the wide-open cage, sending it high.
The first half against Nashville was the least control Decatur has had over a half this season. Nashville had several strong chances that were stymied only through the work of Bidun and the reliable defense of defender Jazmin Ferguson.
Decatur had fewer chances, but they were arguably higher quality, such as in the 18th minute when they rang a chance off the near post. Had it been just two inches to the right, Decatur would have been on the board. Gronauer also stopped multiple other opportunities.
Both goaltenders’ finest hour came late in the first half. In the 37th minute, Nashville knocked a rebound past Bidun’s outstretched fingers and into the net. Luckily for Decatur, it was blown offside. Bidun then made a show-stopping save on the subsequent corner kick to keep the score 0-0. A minute later, Gronauer had her own signature moment, leaping into the air and punching out a brilliant chance for Decatur.
Decatur comes to life in second half
As predicted, Nashville couldn’t maintain its pace in the second half and, with more room to work, Decatur’s offense came to life. Within the first five minutes, the team had no fewer than three Grade-A chances on the Rhythm. Gronauer’s presence in the net was the only thing holding the score level at 0-0.
“I thought the first half was pretty even, back and forth,” Chapman said. “But the second half, we changed formation, and I thought we were the better side in the second half.”
In the 64th minute, it seemed like a goal might never come for Decatur. Forward London Crawford was onside in front of the net and leapt up for the header, which Gronauer got a hand on. The ball rebounded to Crawford, who sent a shot on, which ricocheted off the crossbar.
Nashville’s offensive pressure dropped off severely as the half progressed, but nothing would go in.
Until it did.
In the 74th minute, Decatur was again on the attack with a corner kick. The ball bounced out to Greiner, who had subbed on less than ten minutes before. Greiner stretched out her left leg and got a touch on it, and, as Gronauer watched in horror, it rolled into the corner at the far post. Greiner, who had fallen to the ground on the kick, threw her arms up in celebration as she broke the scoreless tie and put Decatur up 1-0.
“I just saw the ball in the air, it was on my left foot, and I just put it in the bottom corner,” Greiner said with a smile.
Back on track
All that was left was for Decatur to shut down the Rhythm and secure the victory. Bidun was spectacular in goal, and the Rhythm could find nothing. After a 1-1 draw last week, Decatur FC is back in the win column.
“When you lose a result late, you feel like it’s a loss,” Decatur coach Campbell Chapman said of last week’s 1-1 draw with UFA Gunners. “I know in this season there’s going to be ties that you’re going to have to deal with, but these are the games you’ve got to win. You’re knocking off a potential contender.”
