USL W League 3+1
If you’re familiar with our coverage of men’s soccer, you may have caught Dan’s NPSL Quick 3+1, a weekly review of 3 games from the previous week followed by 1 upcoming game we think you should watch and why.
These first few weeks are giving us some exciting introductions for many clubs who are fielding women’s teams for the first time. Many of them have existing academies and ECNL structures, though, so talent and experience isn’t hard to come by for them. And others like Detroit City FC and Asheville City SC, for example, have fielded women’s teams before and are more experienced in their semi-professional/pre-professional environments.
Racing Louisville 0 - Detroit City FC 0
Image Credit: Jon DeBoer (@jondeboerphoto)
One interesting matchup between these two categories of teams was the May 12th game between Detroit City FC and Racing Louisville FC. Detroit City FC, using its experience from last season and home field advantage, was able to stave off the attack from a Racing that was bolstered by 3 NCAA champions, keeping the score 0-0 in a game that was highly entertaining regardless of the scoreline. Recording 17 shots and 10 on goal, Racing retained the ball for large stretches of time and made Detroit’s goalkeeper Gabby Shriver work all game. In contrast, Detroit recorded 7 shots with 5 on goal.
Although Racing carries a roster filled with champions from Florida State, I was most impressed by someone with a more local presence: Patricia Ward, recently signed by University of Louisville.
With lots of experience from her years playing for the University of Minnesota, she exhibited high-level decision making on the wing in the 6th minute, taking a few extra touches in the box under pressure to get a better shot on goal. Although it didn’t end up as one, it rattled Detroit for a long time after. I’ll surely be watching her going forward and will keep an eye on her when she plays for Louisville in the fall.
South Georgia Tormenta FC 0 - SC United Bantams 0
Tormenta FC visited the Bantams at Erk Russell Park for their first official match and although short their full roster with only 2 subs available, demonstrated just what sort of threat they’ll be for opponents this season after they get a little more training in together as a team. With 6 shots and 2 on goal versus the Bantams’ 2 shots all match, Tormenta was largely kept quiet due to the Bantams’ focused efforts on defense in front of goal. Their efforts proved fruitful, when both teams walked away with clean sheets and a point after the final whistle.
SC United Bantams starting XI.
Camera quality was shaky at Erk Russell Park, and without an available roster or starting XI graphic online for the Bantams, it was hard to identify their key players. However, number 9 put in a clinic stopping Tormenta’s attack on the right side, making multiple key challenges and slide tackles. For the other team, Kelly Giddes (who was Tormenta’s POTM) in midfield was key in their attack, creating multiple chances for her team and even getting in a few opportunities of her own including a fun little chip on the goalkeeper that was cleared at the last second by a defender.
Once Tormenta gets their full roster on hand, they’ll be a very sizable threat to their division opponents the rest of the season.
McLean Soccer 4 - Northern Virginia FC 3
Our final match recap was also the final match of the week, and was also one of the most competitive games all week. With 7 goals between the two teams, it was anyone’s game for 90+ minutes at the Virginia Revolution Sports Complex. NoVa FC’s goalkeeper, Erika Yohn, put in an impressive performance despite still letting in 4 goals that night. Yohn made multiple clutch saves in the final 20 minutes but McLean’s attack was too much and NoVa’s defense too tired and in the 86th and again in the 88th minute, NoVa gave up two goals and in the end, the game.
NoVa FC’s captain, Kayla Hamric, despite the loss, was vital to NoVa’s strong performance. The recent graduate from George Mason, who started every match for them last season and in 16 matches in the 2019 season, registered a goal in the 29th minute, a rocket of a shot after a pass off in front of the 18 yard line. Throughout the rest of the match, she directed players as a captain does and for the rest of the season, will be one to watch as she leads her team in a highly competitive division.
And for McLean, Maliah Morris is one to watch for the rest of the season. The two-time DC Gatorade Player of the Year and a star forward for the Clemson Tigers, she was completely selfless in the game, scoring McLean’s first goal before switching gears and creating chances and assisting in McLean’s equalizer goal by Angela Caloia.
Coming Up - Peachtree City MOBA at South Georgia Tormenta FC
And finally, a game we think you won’t want to miss. Unfortunately a lot of big games this week are playing in stadiums that don’t have cameras available for live streaming but never fear, Tormenta FC will be live streaming their home games (and seemingly their away games as well) this season. You can watch this game on Eleven Sports on Sunday, May 22nd at 7:30 PM EST. Peachtree will be playing their first game of the season tonight, so we have yet to know what they look like cohesively, but Tormenta will be playing their third on Sunday, and their first home game at that. Hopefully by then they’ll have their key attackers and another week training as a team, and will surely be looking to excite their home fans.
- Elisabeth Schendel