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Athenians comeback falls short at Luxoria FC, Broussard’s hat trick the perfect response in UWS home opener
(DALLAS TX, Friday May 20) - The San Antonio Athenians kicked off the 2022 UWS season with a difficult test on the road at Luxoria FC in the Dallas area on Friday night. Luxoria, a new club with a large majority of players moving over from the now defunct Lone Star Republic, the unbeaten regular season champions of the UWS Southwest in 2021.
Coach Reinaldo Lima’s first starting XI featured 6 debutants with Camelia Xu, Eve Clarkson, Amanda Chimbima, Emma Bates, Keeley Ayala, and Sierra Wannamaker looking to get off to a strong start in their first ever UWS game. Emma Ruiz, Sarah Bayhi, and Ashley Newland were named team captains ahead of kickoff.
In a frantic start to the match, it took a huge 1-on-1 stop from Xu to keep it scoreless in the 14th minute before Luxoria found two rapid fire goals before the halftime break, with Michelle Gonzalez striking in the 38th and Kennedy Kessler scoring on the feed from Gonzalez in the 45th minute. Coach Lima made two changes at the half, handing debuts to Enzi Broussard and Jessi Reinhardt as Wright and Ruiz were replaced.
While the two changes brought attacking verve for the purple and white, it was Luxoria who got the games’ third goal in the 57th minute with Kessler grabbing her second goal on another assist from Gonzalez. While the odds were heavily stacked against them, the Athenians dug deep and began to fight their way back into the game
Broussard darted into the penalty area in the 61st minute and drew contact, winning a penalty. She converted it for her first UWS goal, scoring just 16 minutes after coming on.
Bates lined up a free kick in the 69th minute and while the goalkeeper expected a cross from the wide position, the Australian midfielder picked out the top corner for her own debut goal in UWS.
While the Athenians threw everything at it and generated chances in the final 20 minutes, Luxoria was able to hold on, with goalkeeper Daniella Marin keeping the visitors at bay. Luxoria picked up the win to move to 1-1 on the season and the Athenians headed home to San Antonio looking to get their first win with a quick turnaround against Wilco FC on Sunday.
(SAN ANTONIO TX, Sunday May 22) - The 2022 UWS Home Opener for San Antonio saw the purple and white face off against Wilco FC, who came into the game 1-1 on the season after a victory against CTX Hornets on Friday. In front of an excellent home crowd, the Athenians were determined to get the first win of the young season and put on a show, and they did not disappoint.
Coach Lima made 3 changes from Friday’s lineup, with Jessi Reinhardt, Inara Lopes de Andrade, and Enzi Broussard handed their first start of the season. Lopes de Andrade was unfortunately injured just moments into the match and Ruiz, who started on Friday, was called upon as an early replacement in the 6th minute.
Ayala had an early chance, going close in the 8th minute before a smart pass from Eve Clarkson sprung Enzi Broussard in behind 4 minutes later. Broussard bumped past one defender and chopped the ball back onto her left foot, sending the shot into the roof of the net to give the Athenians the lead.
Broussard was immediately hungry for more as the Athenians combined down the left wing in the 23rd minute, Reinhardt found a useful ball to the feet of Broussard, who meandered through the defense and fired a shot into the bottom corner to double the advantage.
Broussard completed the perfect hat trick (left foot, right foot, header) in the 40th minute as the Athenians worked a corner routine which freed up Jillian Martinez to send in a cross, which Broussard rose highest to nod across the goal and into the net.
The home side took the 3-0 lead into the break, and the second half was an exercise in securing the result which Broussard’s heroics had made possible. The Athenians emptied the bench in turning to the squad’s depth to get the result over the line. Olivia Wright and Ella Hammonds were energetic in second half cameos off the bench. As the final whistle sounded, the team was serenaded by cheers from the home crowd, 3 goals on the night, and 3 points secured.
Watch Sunday’s goals and highlights HERE
The Athenians are next in action on Saturday, May 28th against FC Austin Elite. FC Austin Elite is the only unbeaten team as it stands in the UWS Southwest Region, with victories on the road at Luxoria FC and SA Runners. Kickoff is set for 7:00 at Soccer Central.
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