Fans were treated to an entertaining Wild West Match on Saturday as Calgary Wild FC produced one of its strongest performances of the season before Vancouver Rise FC scored twice late to earn a 4-2 victory at McMahon Stadium.
First-half back-and-forth
Vancouver held off the early attack by the home team to strike at the seventh-minute mark when Mia Pante broke down the left flank and found the back of the net. Calgary responded just eight minutes later after earning a penalty kick when a Vancouver defender was called for a handball on a Jorian Baucom attempt. Captain Meggie Dougherty Howard converted the attempt in the 15th minute to level the match at 1-1.
The Wild continued to apply pressure with sharp passing and sustained possession, taking the lead in the 25th minute. Baucom finished off a dangerous attacking sequence with a touch at the goal line. Vancouver answered before halftime when Mariah Lee converted a penalty kick in the 37th minute, sending the teams into the break tied 2-2.
Late drama decides match
The match remained deadlocked through much of the second half before Vancouver regained the lead in the 85th minute. Midfielder Josie Longhurst made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, scoring just five minutes into her appearance. Maithe Lopez sealed the result in stoppage time.
Despite the loss, Calgary produced one of its most complete offensive performances of the season, creating quality chances and matching Vancouver through much of an entertaining contest. Making her first appearance with the club, Wild FC head coach Leah Blayney watched from the stands after arriving in Canada on Wednesday. Blayney most recently served as an assistant coach with Japan’s national women’s team, and previously relocated to Europe to accompany players overseas.
McSharry praises team effort
“We talked to the group that your behaviours are reflective of the team you want to be. They (Vancouver) are quite a physical team and tonight showed we can match that,” said Wild FC interim head coach Sinead McSharry. “I thought it also showed we had a desire and hunger to get the ball back. It was chippy … The team got very animated after the first foul. They wanted to bring their A game and I thought they did. I like that in a player.”
“We told our players to come out with effort and intensity which enabled us to get on the ball early,” McSharry added. “I thought we were unlucky not to capitalize on a couple of opportunities. We just have to be more clinical, but I’m pleased with how we came out both halves. It was a better reflection of who we are as a team.”
