RECAP: MISS KICK FC, BEACH FUTBOL CLUB

Written By: Nicholas Williams
Photography: Sandra Velez-Lopez

MISS KICK FC BEATS FUTBOL CLUB 4-2

AFTER BIG SECOND-HALF ADJUSTMENTS

Two teams that didn’t play in the WPSL during the 2023 season, MISS KICK FC  and Beach Futbol Club, battled it out in the West Region Match of the Week at Irvine Valley College on Friday Night.
 

MISS KICK FC Team Huddle (Sandra Velez-Lopez)

MISS KICK FC came away with a 4-2 victory, after a big second half with goals from Sydney Studer (Washington State University), Alex Wood (Wake Forest University), and Faith George (University of Southern California).

For Beach Futbol Club, its two goal scorers came from two high school juniors: Avery Oder, a Duke University commit, and Shannon Davidson, a University of Utah commit.

MISS KICK Head Coach Tom Lancaster, who has over 15 years of coaching experience in both the UK and the United States, credits the win to their ability to adapt at halftime.

“We were able to win because of tactical adjustments and a mindset shift,” Lancaster said. “Our team went into the second half with a 110% effort.” 

For MISS KICK, this was its second game of the season, after it tied 1-1 with the Southern California Eagles 

“There was a lot to be learned from our season opener such as physical shape, positional opportunities, and dominance in set plays,” Lancaster said. 

According to Lancaster, MISS KICK’s game plan was to play tough, fast, and smart.

MISS KICK FC vs Beach Futbol Club, Friday, May 24, 2024 WPSL Season (Sandra Velez-Lopez

“We wanted to dictate play from the first whistle,” Lancaster said. “But we quickly realized that our opponent wasn’t going to make it easy on us. Second-half game plan adjustments needed to be made, especially to get some fresh legs, which helped us control the midfield.”

Three out of the four-goal scorers, Alyssa Moore (University of California-Irvine), Wood, and George, all came off the bench during the match.

Other notable players include Hope Paredes (Indiana University) with multiple big wins defensively, and  Payton Leonard (Pepperdine University) who assisted on three out of the four goals. 
 

MISS KICK FC and Beach Futbol Club's next match is Friday, May 31st at 7 p.m.

MISS KICK FC plays the LA Surf Soccer Club at Cathedral High School, and Beach Futbol Club plays the Southern California Eagles at El Camino College.