Athenians pegged back with 5 minutes to go, draw 1-1 with FC Austin Elite

(SAN ANTONIO, May 28) - The San Antonio Athenians came into Saturday’s home match against FC Austin Elite with a 1-1 record, sitting in second place behind their opponents on the night who had won both to start the season. Saturday’s contest was this weekend’s only game in the UWS Southwest Conference.

Coach Reinaldo Lima made 2 enforced changes to his starting XI, with Enzi Broussard forced to miss the game with an injury after starting the season with 4 goals in just 2 games. She was replaced by Jade Piper, who made her first start of the season. Ashley Newland was a late scratch due to injury as well, replaced by Olivia Wright in the starting group. Brooke Martinez, Tori Foster, and Eden Bretzer made the bench for the purple and white for the first time this season.

The game started out calmly with both teams feeling each other out. Both sides had speculative shots from distance, with Jillian Martinez shot just wide in the 7th minute and Cam Xu watching a few shots fly over the bar in the opening 20 minutes. Olivia Wright was forced off in the 24th minute limping with an injury, but she would return later in the game. She made way for Brooke Martinez, who played off the left wing where she was able to combine with her sister to create chances for the Athenians.

With both teams taking few chances in the first half, we went into the break still scoreless. However, the home team came out with renewed focus and intensity after the break. Brooke Martinez continued to find joy down the Athenians left, and it was her low cross into the box that was fired home by Emma Ruiz in the 52nd minute to give San Antonio the lead. It was Ruiz’ first goal of the season after netting 3 in 2021.

Martinez continued to create chances from the left wing, sending in multiple low crosses that turned into shooting opportunities for the Athenians, with both Keeley Ayala and Jade Piper denied by great saves from Austin’s goalkeeper. After the flurry of opportunities went begging, San Antonio was looking to see out the result when, from a corner in the 85th minute, Austin’s Katy Couperus nodded home from close range to level the game at 1. Despite San Antonio’s best effort to win the game in the final moments, it went final 1-1 and the points were shared. The Athenians’ Eve Clarkson was named player of the game for a gutsy defensive performance and excellent distribution from the backline. Watch the game’s goals and highlights HERE!

Next up for the Athenians is a first-ever San Antonio Derby with the SA Runners on Saturday, June 4 at Soccer Central. Kickoff is set for 7:00 and points are at a premium in every game of this year’s UWS Southwest schedule.

Gallery photos taken by Anthony Bell