Dominant Athenians Beat Runners 5-0 with standout performances from Wannamaker, Martinez, and Reinhardt
(SAN ANTONIO, June 4, 2022) - After a week of anticipation and build up, the San Antonio Athenians took the field Saturday night against the San Antonio Runners in the inaugural matchup of the Riverwalk Rivalry. The Athenians sat in 3rd in the UWS Southwest with 4 points from the opening 3 games while the Runners were just behind with 3 points from 2 contests to that point.
Coach Reinaldo Lima opted for plenty of San Antonio representation in his starting eleven, handing a first start of the season to locals Mia Wildeman, Brooke Martinez, and Jordan Bushnell. It was another Alamo City product, Sierra Wannamaker, who was set to star on the night and she started early when, in the 10th minute of play, Reinhardt swung a ball in behind the Runners backline for Wannamaker to run on to and round the keeper to put the Athenians on the board.
Amongst the flurry of chances in the first 20 minutes, Jillian Martinez had already been denied twice by Raeann Garcia, the Runners goalkeeper. However, in the 20th minute, Reinhardt cut the ball back for the Texas Tech midfielder and she was able to slot it home for 2-0.
The home side came under pressure in the final 15 minutes of the first half and it was former Athenian Allison Fahey who went the closest with a dipping volley in the 43rd minute that bounced off the crossbar and over Mia Wildeman’s goal. The first half concluded with the home side on top 2-0 but the result was still to be secured.
Coming out for the second half, the Athenians made 2 changes, with Emma Ruiz and Eve Clarkson replaced by Eden Bretzer and Amanda Chimbima. Any hopes for a comeback for the Runners were immediately squashed just 2 minutes into the half when Wannamaker sent a high-arcing volley into the top corner after a Jillian Martinez corner wasn’t cleared by the visitors.
Jessi Reinhardt was at her creative best in this match, constantly making overlapping runs from left back and providing excellent service behind the Runner’s backline. The German got another assist in the 61st minute on a bending ball in behind which Wannamaker was able to run onto and finish past the keeper to complete her hat trick. Wannamaker’s hat trick is already the second of the Athenians’ season, with Enzi Broussard also hitting 3 against Wilco FC at home.
The final 30 minutes saw a plethora of changes on the Athenians’ side with Athenians NEXT products Tori Foster and Ella Hammonds seeing significant time. Foster was close to a debut goal in the 70th minute when Raeann Garcia produced a spectacular fingertip save on a shot from the edge of the box. The scoring wrapped up in the 86th minute when Australian midfielder Emma Bates sent a diagonal ball in behind for the overlapping Jessi Reinhardt. The German’s shot was saved but the rebound fell to Keeley Ayala and the striker calmly slotted it home to make it 5-0 and put her name on the scoresheet for the first time in Purple and White.
With the win, the Athenians move to 2-1-1 on the season with 7 points and sit in second place in the conference behind FC Austin Elite. Next up, the team’s final home game before a 4 game road trip, up against CTX Hornets on Sunday, June 12 at 7:00.
Watch match highlights HERE
Scoring Summary:
SAA: 1-0, Sierra Wannamaker (Assisted by Jessi Reinhardt) 10’
SAA: 2-0, Jillian Martinez (Assisted by Jessi Reinhardt) 20’
SAA: 3-0, Sierra Wannamaker (Assisted by Jillian Martinez) 47’
SAA: 4-0, Sierra Wannamaker (Assisted by Jessi Reinhardt) 61’
SAA: 5-0, Keeley Ayala (Assisted by Jessi Reinhardt) 86’
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