WIFC Women vs. NY Shamrocks
Sunday, September 22, 2024 Game played at Astoria Park, Queens, New York
Starting 11:
Goalkeeper: Coco Hubbeling
Right Full Back: Erin Cullen
Left Back: Allie Tucker
Center Back: Malya Hirshkowitz
Center Back: Isabella Agostini
Center Midfielder: Brooke Tucker
Center Midfielder: Kyra Conroy
Center Midfielder: Nicole Redfern
Left Wing: Katya Urbano
Center Forward: Hayley Rogers
Right Wing: Leslie Brown
Substitutes:
Debbie Torres
Michelle Rodriguez
Valentina Moreno
Paulina Vairo
Madi Chassin
Nya Rafali
I spent Sunday kicking off the New York Metropolitan Women's Soccer League with the women of Williamsburg International FC. Spirits were high, and happiness radiated within the group as they faced NY Shamrocks for their first game of the season. With eight new additions to an already strong squad, this promises to be a very exciting season, building off last year's third-place finish.
As team captain Malya Hirshkowitz greeted each player arriving at Astoria Park South, I could see and feel the camaraderie, friendship, and respect among them. Watching the players make brief introductions and share moments of laughter while reviewing match tactics was a testament to their bond. The team was in a 4-3-3 formation (four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards), ready for the challenge.
(see formation diagram for visual context)
Standard 4-3-3 formation
Williamsburg international FC 4-3-3 team formation
Taking the field against NY Shamrocks was no easy task. This is a club that consistently improves its squad during the off-season. They thrive on vocal communication throughout the match, effortlessly passing through open lanes. From the sidelines, I noticed their goalkeeper playing a pivotal role, directing traffic from the back and calling out shifts in the WIFC defense.
The first half was evenly matched, with Williamsburg International FC making good decisions and staying in front of players early, preventing Shamrocks from controlling the midfield. Toward the end of the first half, after a few short build-up and breakdown sequences, Shamrocks capitalized on a two-on-one opportunity, carefully dribbling the ball past WIFC goalkeeper Coco Hubbeling to score their first goal.
During halftime, Paulina and Malya kept the team focused, highlighting the positive moments they saw. Williamsburg's club manager, Jason Roos, Isabella (or Bella, as she's known), and longtime club supporter Kevin did their best to arrange the right group of substitutes to maintain intensity and energy on the field.
After the half, Shamrocks managed to score another goal, putting them up 2-0. However, thanks to the quick pace of Nicole Redfern (Nikki), WIFC scored their first goal of the season, narrowing the score to 2-1. As the day turned into night and the game progressed, the Shamrocks' attack proved too strong, leading them to score again.
When it seemed like no fight was left, newcomer Hayley Rogers seized a late opportunity, making it a 3-2 game going into the final few minutes. Despite some excellent build-up play from WIFC, the Shamrocks' defense held firm and walked away with the win.
However, I don't view this game solely from a score perspective. There was a lot of great movement on the field, with players recognizing their mistakes and quickly working to fix them. Overall, I believe the new additions to the WIFC squad will benefit the club's style of play over time.
Key Takeaways:
It's always a pleasure supporting the Williamsburg International women. Their warm smiles and infectious laughter, coupled with their genuine care for one another, create a beautiful team environment. Seeing the club add new faces was exciting, and I'm eager to see how the team progresses as the season unfolds.
One area for improvement I noticed is that some players need to do a better job of scanning their surroundings to make passes that could open up more opportunities. I'm confident that this will be addressed as the club continues to practice and hold small training sessions. With leaders like Brooke, Paulina, and Malya, I have no doubt they'll keep everyone united and focused on having the best possible season.
What I've learned about Williamsburg International is not to get hung up on winning and losing. As long as you're playing a sport you love with people you get along with, a bad game doesn't mean a bad season. I have so much respect for the women who come out every weekend and give 110% on the field. They hold a special place in my heart as a sports journalist and writer, and I am incredibly grateful to know every team member.
Quote from Malya Hirshkowitz “It's rare for me to feel as positive as I did after a loss. I noticed a lot of promising things from both the new and returning players. There were many strong individual performances and efforts, and I believe as the season progresses, those will evolve into more great team moments and cohesion.”