FC Surge, Miami’s highest level of Women’s soccer completed a 6 point week in the Women’s Premier Soccer League with away wins against cross county rivals Team Boca Blast 3-2 on Wednesday 6/20 in Boca, and versus new team Puerto Rico Pride 8-1 in Winter Park on Saturday 6/23.
The Surge are now in a tie for 1st place in the Sunshine Conference / South Region of the WPSL, the largest Women’s Amateur league in the world. The team is coached by 3rd year Head Coach Ramiro Vengoechea and 2nd year Assistant Coach Eddie Hernandez. Surge had won their first game June 2nd 2-1 over Florida Krush and lost a storm-shortened match vs Florida Sol 1-2 on June 9th.
Wednesday’s match was a true nail biter, Surge went up 2-0 early in the first half with goals off Yari Bradfield (American University Senior) in the 11th minute assisted by UM Senior Lexi Castellano, and in the 14th minute from St Thomas University Senior Eva Castano Candela assisted by Bradfield. Boca came out swinging in the 2nd half and was able to knock in two in the 55th and 71st minutes tying the game up. The Surge would not be deterred and took the lead back in the 76th minute from Castano assisted by recent UM grad Grace Rapp and held off the Blast for the remaining minutes. UM Red-Shirt Senior 6’1” GK Phallon Tullis Joyce had numerous saves in net to preserve the win.
Saturday’s road trip was marred by some last minute scratches and the Surge would only travel with 14 players (2 field subs). However, this small squad put on quite a scoring barrage and came home with an impressive 8-1 victory. The Surge scored early and often with 4 goals in each half (8th, 15th, 20th, 33rd minutes) in the first and (60th, 66th, 67th, 76th minutes) of the 2nd. The Pride got on the board off a free kick in the 62nd. Four players contributed to all the Surge goals – East Carolina Alum Chrissy Gratz 3 Goals and 3 Assists, Eva Castano Candela again with 2 Goals and 3 Assists, UM Junior Krissy Fisher 2 Goals, and FIU Alum April Perry with 1 Goal and 2 Assists. GK Johanna Rathbun (UT Martin Alum) had a solid shut-out in her first half debut. Defenders Perry, Rochelle Wimbush (Princeton Alum), Castellano, and UM Junior Dejah Cason blocked all Pride attempts to move the ball forward. Newest and youngest Surge player Catherine Kolski (recent Ransom Everglades HS grad) also subbed in at center back. Midfielders Christine Kindt (Campbell Alum), Cynthia Peretti (Warner Alum), Paula Quintero (recent FIU grad), and Nicole Richards (Palm Beach Atlantic Sophomore) controlled the ball in the middle of the pitch allowing the prolific forwards to do their thing! Back up keeper Rikki Farquharson (USF Sophomore) stood fearless in goal in the 2nd half.
The Surge have two tough games this coming weekend, facing Florida Tropics on Saturday 6/30 6pm then a quick turnaround match versus Tampa Bay United on Sunday at 11am. Both games are at Surge’s home venue Ives Estates Park. They finish the regular season at home on Saturday 7/7 at 6pm vs Florida Gulf Coast Dutch Lions. Admission is free.
Sunshine Conference Champions move on to Regional Playoffs July 14-15 in the South Region (most likely Tennessee) with the Regional winners moving on to the WPSL Championships in Norman Oklahoma July 20-22nd.
You can support the Surge on our GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/FCSurge2018. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are also available.
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