By Andrew Johnson
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – The Muskegon Risers were already making history on Saturday night, with its women’s team playing its inaugural home game as a member of a league.

And while the Risers came up short, losing 3-2 to Midwest United FC at Muskegon Catholic’s Kehren Stadium, it was a pretty solid performance for a new team that came into the game with an 0-2 record.

The contest got very exciting at the end.

In the final minute of non-stoppage time, Muskegon’s Mackenzie Selvius scored her second goal of the night, pulling the Risers within a goal at 3-2.

Just a few moments later, Selvius ripped a shot from the left side, just outside of the 18-yard box. It appeared destined to tuck into the right corner of the net before Midwest goalkeeper Gracie Vanlangvelde got her hands on the ball just enough to knock it off track and out of bounds.

Credence White goes in for a slide tackle for Muskegon. Photo/Leo Valdez

“It was an adrenaline moment,” said Selvius about the shot that would’ve tied the game. “It was a bummer that it went wide. We really had a chance to put it away and get a tie.”

Shortly after the Risers’ ensuing corner kick, the clock ran out and the home team fell short.

“I thought that we did well,” said Risers associate head coach Debbie Pekel about her team’s performance. “We progressed and we knew it would be a tough match. They’re a good team and we wanted to use our home field advantage. We saw a lot of good moments tonight, and it was a fun game, but we’re going to keep improving.”

The Risers fell behind early, with Midwest United netting a goal in the 14th minute to take a 1-0 lead.

Grace Filipiak makes a drop pass for Muskegon. Photo/Leo Valdez

Muskegon responded in the 23rd minute when Selvius headed home a free kick pass from Lauryn DeShane to make the score 1-1.

“Oh my word,” said Selvius about the assist from DeShane. “That ball from Lauryn was an absolute diamond.”

Midwest United responded in the 32nd minute with a goal to make the score 2-1, which it remained at halftime.

Midwest United took a 3-1 lead in the second half with a goal in the 51st minute.

The Risers’ two-goal deficit held until the 89th minute, when Selvius netted her second goal of the night after getting past the defense.

“Obviously we’re going for the win,” said Selvius about netting two goals in the Risers’ first home game. “But honestly to me it’s two team goals. Not my two goals. You can’t score alone. It feels good but we’re not done yet. We’re going to keep getting better.”

Muskegon was outshot 10-6 on the night and fell to 0-3 on the season. The Risers will next host Steel City on May 29 at 7 p.m.