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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Austin Rise FC

Austin Rise FC is an American semi-professional women's soccer club based in Austin, Texas. The club was established in 2022 and is fully women-owned. They compete in the Women's Premier Soccer League as a member of the Texas Triangle Conference. Austin Rise's home matches are played at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas.

History

In July 2022, a group of six women developed the idea for a women's soccer club based on cultivating a positive experience for their players, staff, fans, and partners. This idea was born out of their own experience which included the collapse of a previous club they were involved with. The founders are Amanda Lisberger, Rachelle D'Amico, Erin Webb, Bethany Cyrtmus-Davaul, Katie Reed, and Christiane Lessa. On August 22, 2023, WPSL announced that Austin Rise FC had signed a letter of intent to be one of the founding clubs for the WPSL Pro.

First seasons

Austin Rise FC participated in the 2023 WPSL season as their first season as a club. Austin Rise FC was aligned in the Texas Triangle Conference of the WPSL. The team will play their first match on May 27, 2023 against the Challenge Red Devils. Their first home match coming on Jun 11, 2023 against the San Antonio Blossom.

Austin Rise FC's first official game, also resulted in their first points earned in WPSL play, by earning a 0–0 draw against the Challenge Red Devils. On June 2, 2023, Beth Ann Davis became Austin Rise FC's first goal scorer, getting one against Lonestar SC in a 4–1 loss on the road. Two days later, Amanda Lisberger, both a founder and player, scored the team's first brace against the Houston Aces, but the team still fell in that match 4–2. Austin Rise FC earned their first win of the season on June 17, 2023 with a 2–1 win over the Houston Aces at House Park, on goals by Alexis Lawrence and Chistina Diaz Cerda. Two weeks later, Austin Rise FC earned their first clean sheet defeating Bat Country FC in their first meeting, on goals from Grace Starr, Bethany Cyrtmus-Davaul, and Brigid McElderry. Austin Rise FC ended the season in 4th Place in the Texas Triangle Conference with a 4W–3D–3L record and a +2 goal differential. Bethany Cyrtmus-Davaul was their leading scoring with 4 goals on the season.

For the 2024 season, Austin Rise was aligned in the Lonestar Conference in the South Region, with five other teams. The conference consisted of Austin Rise, Classic Elite SA out of San Antonio, expansion side Futbolero Select out of Houston, expansion side San Antonio Runners, SouthStar out of DFW, and the Houston Aces. The conference was set up to play a balanced home and away schedule with the season kicking off on May 18 and the winners qualifying as host for the South Region playoffs on July 13-14. Austin Rise clinched the regular season title after their week 8 win against Fubolera Select, with one game left to play in the season.

Fully professional

Austin Rise FC announced their intent to become a fully professional women's soccer team on August 22, 2023. WPSL Pro will be a Division III professional league, below the National Women's Soccer League and USL Super League. The league will run a spring to fall season to coincide with the NWSL's fall to spring season. Austin Rise FC is planned as one of the ten teams planned when the league start in 2025.

Sponsorship

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Sleeve sponsor Ref.
2023–present Puma Ally Medical Emergency Room Juiceland

Management team

Position Name
Manager United States Bethany Cyrtmus-Davaul
Coach United States Rogerio Celaya

Coaching History

As of June 18, 2024
Name Years Matches Won Drawn Lost Win %
United States Tom Krall 2023 10 4 3 3 .550
United States Rogerio Celaya 2024 6 3 2 1 .667

Roster

As of June 15, 2024
No. Pos. Player Nation
00 GK Emma Payton  United States
0 GK Peyton Urban  United States
2 DF Ryann Jergovich  United States
4 MF Tatiana Leggiero  United States
5 FW Amanda Lisberger (Captain)  United States
7 MF Lily Erb  United States
8 MF Vanessa Adams  United States
9 FW Hailey Sapinoro  United States
10 FW Emma Torres  Dominican Republic
11 DF Gabrielle Criscione  United States
12 DF Sky Gardner  United States
16 MF Brigid McElderry  United States
17 MF Audrey Castaneda  United States
18 MF Sara Asbeck
19 MF Beth Ann Davis  United States
20 FW Addison Bray  United States
21 FW Annika Freddell  United States
24 FW Alexis Lawrence  United States
26 MF Bella Cruz  United States
31 FW Lourdes Sankar  United States
34 FW Cam Patton  United States
99 DF Grace Starr  United States
FW Alyssa Aguilar  United States
Casey Mendoza  United States
MF Sarah Hauck  United States
DF Emily Rangel  United States
FW Pamela Lasprilla  United States
GK Mckenzie Hunninghake  United States
JP Giammalva  United States

Year-by-year

Season League Position Playoffs
Div League Conference Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Conf.
2023 4 WPSL Texas Triangle 10 4 3 3 17 15 2 15 1.50 4th DNQ
2024 4 WPSL Lone Star 9 6 2 1 22 8 14 20 2.22 1st Conference Semifinals
Total 19 10 5 4 39 23 +16 35 1.84

Awards and honors

WPSL

  • Lone Star Conference Regular Season Champions: 2024

Best XI

Year Award Awardee Position Ref
2023 Texas Triangle Conference Best XI United States Natalie Green DF
Spain Cristina Diaz Cerda MF

Austin Rise Player Awards

Year Player of the Year Rising Star Defender of the Year Goal of the Year
2023 Cristina Diaz Sara Navarro Natalee Geren Angela Fuster Sendra