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Calgary Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
'Big-game players': Calgary Wild FC add Kathryn Harvey, Jorian Baucom to bolster offence
Calgary Wild FC have bolstered their offence by adding Kathryn Harvey and Jorian Baucom to the roster. Article content Harvey (Coquitlam, B.C.) and Baucom (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who will provide additional depth to the Northern Super League club's attack, both joined their new squad for the first time at practice on Thursday. 'Kathryn and Jorian are two big additions to our club. They are big-game players who bring additional energy, drive and a wealth of international experience to our club,' said Wild FC sporting director Alix Bruch. 'They are creative in the attack and will bring speed and additional strength to our offence as we advance into the second half of our season.' Harvey, who played varsity lacrosse with LIU Brooklyn before transferring to Trinity Western University, was twice named to both the CanWest All-Second Team and USports Championship All-Star Team. She capped her varsity career finishing in the top five for game-winning goals. Harvey's scoring touch continued in the professional ranks where she was the top scorer for Denmark's Division 1 team. She also played for Fatih Vatan S.K. of the Turkish Women's Football Super League before signing with Melbourne City in the Australian A-League Women, where she tallied two goals in her debut. 'I'm really excited to play for the Wild FC, not only because it's my first time playing professionally in my home country, but also because of the team's culture and the culture of the organization as a whole,' said Harvey. 'It was great to be getting warm, welcoming messages from the team even before I arrived in Calgary so I already felt like I was part of the group.' Baucom was also attracted to the culture that has been created within Alberta's first professional women's sports team and is ready to soar with the Wild FC. 'I immediately knew this was an environment I wanted to be a part of — from the community and fan base to the facilities and stadium,' said Baucom, who played college soccer at Louisiana State University (2014-17) and University of Colorado Boulder (2017-18). 'I felt the passion and genuineness behind this club after speaking with Lydia (Bedford, the head coach) and Alix, and their desire to want to grow this into something special. I hope I can come in, make an impact and continue to move the club in the right direction.' Baucom is no stranger to playing for newly created sides. She comes to the Wild FC from DC Power FC, where she was the first player signing in the USL Super League. Her name is also in the history books as the first scorer in DC Power history. Baucom has had a strong professional career while playing for the Houston Dash (National Women's Soccer League) before signing with AC Sparta Prague (Czech Women's First League), and MSV Duisburg. She suited up in the National Women's Soccer League with short stints at Racing Louisville (2021) and the North Carolina Courage. Baucom headed to Portugal to play for SF Damaiense. She notched 27 goals across the 2023-24 season while suiting up for Hibernian in Scotland before her most recent stop in the United States with Fort Lauderdale United FC. Both newcomers were attracted to the Calgary Wild FC's commitment to community, ensuring all feel welcome at McMahon Stadium while also working equally hard to grow the game throughout Alberta.
Los Angeles Times
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Angel City welcomes infusion of talent with hope of netting more wins
Ever since she visited Los Angeles with her national team three years ago, Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir knew she wanted to play in the National Women's Soccer League one day. When the opportunity to play for Angel City presented itself, Jónsdóttir was eager to join the league and play for new Angel City coach Alexander Straus. 'When Angel City came up, I was just really excited about it,' she said. 'I know Alex. I played against him when he was at Bayern and so I knew he was a great coach.' Three new players have joined Angel City (4-3-6) during the past few months, delivering an infusion talent for a team that sits in 11th place in the 14-team NWSL standings. The league's top eight teams advance to the playoffs. Jónsdóttir, a forward with Icelandic national team experience, signed with Angel City on May 21. After finishing her stint with Frauen-Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg, Jónsdóttir joined her first Angel City practice on Tuesday afternoon. Midfielder Evelyn Shores, who most recently played for the University of North Carolina, signed with Angel City on July 10. She has played for the U-23 U.S. women's national team. Goalkeeper Hannah Seabert, who was Sporting Clube de Portugal's captain earlier this year, signed with Angel City on May 30 and has been training with the team for three weeks. Seabert, a Riverside native and Pepperdine alum, spent most of her career playing abroad and wanted to return to the United States. 'As soon as Angel City opened up several years back, I just knew it was a team I wanted to be a part of,' she said of the franchise that began play in 2023. When Seabert's contract with Sporting CP expired, she pursued her goal of joining Angel City. 'When I came and visited here a couple weeks ago, it felt like a home away from home,' she said. 'The facilities are amazing and the girls were so welcoming. It just felt right when I came here.' Angel City sporting director Mark Parsons said the new players earned contracts because they aligned with the vision for the future of the club: winning. 'Who are the players that we believe represent where we're going and can play for Angel City when we're fighting for trophies,' Parsons said, referring to the question Angel City leaders asked before signing any new players. While the new players present an infusion of fresh talent, Angel City also is benefiting from the return of a familiar face. Forward Jun Endo, who tore her ACL in February 2024, played for the first time in 18 months during a friendly against Bay FC on Saturday. Endo was on the pitch for 30 minutes and scored the only goal of the game. 'If you're missing a player like Jun Endo for as much time as Angel City has been missing her, of course it affects [the game] because you cannot replace a player like that,' said Straus, the team's coach. Straus said he expects Angel City to evolve and move closer to achieving its long-term championship goals with the new signees and Endo available to play. Angel City, which is in the midst of an international break, plays a friendly Saturday against Carolina Ascent FC and resumes NWSL competition on Aug. 1 at Seattle Reign FC. 'Its not just about filling a roster,' Straus said. 'We need quality. We need people who can make a difference for us and so we hope they will do this for us. 'We will be good now, but we will be better in January.'
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
WAFCON 2024 semifinals: Nigeria knocks South Africa out; Morocco joins Super Falcons with win on penalties
Michelle Alozie's long ball bounced into the goal in stoppage time to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory over South Africa on Tuesday and send the Super Falcons into the final at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Falcons have won nine WAFCON titles. Disappointed by their fourth-place finish in the 2022 tournament, they dubbed their goal to win this event as 'Mission X.' Alozie, who plays in the National Women's Soccer League for the Houston Dash, sent the ball forward from distance four minutes into stoppage time. Although two teammates were in front of South Africa's net, neither of them touched the ball as it bounced into the goal. Rasheedat Ajibade, who plays for Atlético Madrid, converted a penalty just before half-time to put Nigeria ahead 1-0. The Super Falcons were awarded the penalty because of a handball in the box. South Africa, the defending WAFCON champion, pulled even on Linda Motlhalo's penalty in the 60th minute. Nigeria, which had not previously conceded a goal in the tournament, routed Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals to advance. South Africa, led by coach Desiree Ellis, advanced on penalties after a scoreless draw with Senegal. There was a scary moment in the 84th minute when South Africa midfielder Gabriela Salgado went down with an injury and players from both teams frantically gestured for help. Salgado was stretchered off with her left leg heavily wrapped as her teammates sobbed. The crowd at Stade Larbi Zaouli chanted her name. Morocco sets final with Nigeria Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi blocked Comfort Yeboah's attempt as host Morocco advanced to the championship of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday. Ghana took a first-half lead. Er-Rmichi got a hand on Josephine Bonsu's header, but it bounced off the post and skittered across the goal for Stella Nyamekye to push it into the net in the 26th minute. Morocco equalised in the 55th when Sakina Ouzraoui bounced a pass from her chest to her feet and scored from underneath diving Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan. ALSO READ: Why is CAF investigating Algeria at WAFCON 2024? Scoreless for the rest of regulation, the match went to extra time at Rabat's Olympic Stadium. Morocco has seen its national team rise in recent years. The team reached the WAFCON final in 2022 but fell to South Africa. Morocco also went to the Women's World Cup for the first time in 2023 and advanced to the round of 16. Morocco advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Mali, while Ghana downed Algeria 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless draw.
San Francisco Chronicle
22-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Alozie goal gives Nigeria 2-1 win over South Africa in Women's Africa Cup of Nations semifinals
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Michelle Alozie's long ball bounced into the goal in stoppage time to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory over South Africa on Tuesday and send the Super Falcons into the final at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria will play the winner of the late match in Rabat between host Morocco and Ghana for the title on Saturday. The Super Falcons have won nine WAFCON titles. Disappointed by their fourth-place finish in the 2022 tournament, the Super Falcons dubbed their goal to win this event as 'Mission X.' Alozie, who plays in the National Women's Soccer League for the Houston Dash, sent the ball forward from distance four minutes into stoppage time. Although two teammates were in front South Africa's net, neither of them touched the ball as it bounced into the goal. Rasheedat Ajibade, who plays for Atlético Madrid, converted a penalty just before halftime to put Nigeria ahead 1-0. The Super Falcons were awarded the penalty because of a handball in the box. South Africa, the defending WAFCON champions, pulled even on Linda Motlhalo's penalty in the 60th minute. Nigeria, which had not previously conceded a goal in the tournament, routed Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals to advance. South Africa, led by coach Desiree Ellis, advanced on penalties after a scoreless draw with Senegal. There was a scary moment in the 84th minute when South Africa midfielder Gabriela Salgado went down with an injury and players from both teams frantically gestured for help. Salgado was stretchered off with her left leg heavily wrapped as her teammates sobbed. The crowd at Stade Larbi Zaouli chanted her name. ___
Hamilton Spectator
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Alozie goal gives Nigeria 2-1 win over South Africa in Women's Africa Cup of Nations semifinals
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Michelle Alozie's long ball bounced into the goal in stoppage time to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory over South Africa on Tuesday and send the Super Falcons into the final at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria will play the winner of the late match in Rabat between host Morocco and Ghana for the title on Saturday. The Super Falcons have won nine WAFCON titles. Disappointed by their fourth-place finish in the 2022 tournament, the Super Falcons dubbed their goal to win this event as 'Mission X.' Alozie, who plays in the National Women's Soccer League for the Houston Dash, sent the ball forward from distance four minutes into stoppage time. Although two teammates were in front South Africa's net, neither of them touched the ball as it bounced into the goal. Rasheedat Ajibade, who plays for Atlético Madrid, converted a penalty just before halftime to put Nigeria ahead 1-0. The Super Falcons were awarded the penalty because of a handball in the box. South Africa, the defending WAFCON champions, pulled even on Linda Motlhalo's penalty in the 60th minute. Nigeria, which had not previously conceded a goal in the tournament, routed Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals to advance. South Africa, led by coach Desiree Ellis, advanced on penalties after a scoreless draw with Senegal. There was a scary moment in the 84th minute when South Africa midfielder Gabriela Salgado went down with an injury and players from both teams frantically gestured for help. Salgado was stretchered off with her left leg heavily wrapped as her teammates sobbed. The crowd at Stade Larbi Zaouli chanted her name. ___ AP soccer:
