As UWS gets up and rolling into its 2022 season, contributor Danielle Gawronski is providing regular updates from her local UWS side, San Antonio Athenians SC.

Summer has kicked off! The UWS is officially underway. The season is fast and dirty. The first teams kicked off the weekend of May 14-15, the season ends July 9-10 with playoffs following quickly after. An 8-week season with only a handful of home games, you don’t miss out on any of the excitement. Mark your calendars now. I know I have.

The San Antonio Athenians kicked off with an away game to Dallas against Luxoria FC on Friday, May 20th. The first game was a loss with Luxoria putting 3 goals past Athenians keeper Camellia Xu. Luxoria scored the first two in the first half.

Enzi Broussard was subbed on in the second half and made an impact. Broussard drew and converted a PK to start Athenians scoring in the 61st. Emma Bates scores the second goal for the Athenians in the 70th minute on a free kick. While the Athenians made a number of tactical and offensive subs putting pressure on the home team to even the score, it didn’t hit the back of the net before the final whistle blew. The final score was Luxoria FC 3 – San Antonio Athenians 2.

The Athenians had business to take care of at their home opener. The fans had been waiting since the national semifinal match, at the end of last season, to watch the Athenians play. The Crocketeers, San Antonio FC supporters group, brought the same energy to the Athenians home opener that they do the men’s games. The sidelines buzzed with excitement, kids ran around in their team jerseys, purple shirts littered the crowd to show their support. There were easily over 200 in attendance filling the sideline.

Intensity was on display from the opening kick. The Athenians dominated possession. Enzi Broussard scoring three goals in the first half. Enzi now has 4 out of the 5 Athenians goals on the season. This West Virginia star is one to watch in this conference. She is leading the golden boot race in the conference.

With constant pressure on their back-line Wilco FC couldn’t get their offense started. They had several promising opportunities on the transition, but the small field meant they were quickly shut down.

Everything went the Athenians way in this home opener. A hat trick, comfortable win, players getting experience in the second half, supporters group encouraging, fans cheering. The only way to improve this home experience for the Athenians is to give them a full-size grass field with bleachers for the fans. Personally, I would love a food or coffee truck. The exposed seams in the turf always make me nervous for players to trip and fall, plus bad bounces.

San Antonio Athenians record is 1-1-0

Next Match: Saturday 5/28 at 7:00 vs FC Austin Elite

At Home: Soccer Central (6610 Low Bid Ln, San Antonio 78250)

- Danielle Gawronski