MICHIGAN STARS BEAT LANSING UNITED 1-0

Michigan Stars FC began the season coming in like a lamb, but Stars defender Michael Lamb changed that pace Sunday afternoon with a header into the back of Lansing United’s net to score the lone goal of the game and get the first win of the season for the team.  After three ties and then a loss on Friday versus Grand Rapids FC, the Michigan Stars needed these three points to climb up the standings in the National Premier Soccer League’s Great Lakes West Conference.  The Stars now sit in third place with six points.

The first half of the match was even play between the two teams with both goalies contributing with saves and direction of their back lines to keep the score 0-0 at the half.  The second half though would bring out a refreshed and energized Michigan Stars team who looked determined to take control of the match.  It would not be until the 58th minute when Michael O’Neill would set up the corner kick that Michael Lamb would zero in on and guide into the back of the neck with a header.

Lamb would be named Man of the Match, but he feels it was a team effort for the win.

“We’ve worked on our set pieces in practice and I was lucky enough for it to manage on my head and put it in. Our whole backline, our goalie, and our strength from the field and our bench should all be Man of the Match in this win.”

Stars head coach Andy Wagstaff was proud of his team with their first NPSL win of the season and his first win at the helm.

“Overall, I am really proud of our endeavor and hard work today and we really needed this win.  Really proud of Michael for sticking in the winning set piece.”

This win helps prepare the Stars for what looks to be the toughest match of the season, which is next away on June 3rd at AFC Ann Arbor, who currently sits atop the conference.

The second half of play saw the Stars with the confidence on the field controlling the game, but after the goal, Lansing United seemed fueled to strike for themselves as well.

“We scored a goal with about 25 minutes to go and from then on it was a bombardment from Lansing,” Wagstaff commented.

The Stars were able to absorb United including a last-ditch effort on a set piece that included United’s goalie up top trying to head the ball in, but Stars goalie Eliott Tarney (Oakland University) had a superb game to get the clean sheet with five saves.

The next home game for Michigan Stars FC will be on Friday, June 17th at 7 pm at Wisner Stadium in Pontiac versus the Dayton Dynamo.