May 27, Bellflower, Ca.- Future FC Women travelled to Bellflower to take on FC Premier U21 in matchday 2.  In a match that saw three changes to last week's starting 11, and several more who came on for their first ever appearance for the club, the team didn't skip a beat on it's way to two first half goals that proved to be enough to secure the victory.  

When asked if the changes would have an effect on the continuity of the club, Head Coach Shayon Jalayer said, "I think whenever there's change, there's a period of adapting to one another. That said, one of our strengths is the depth that we have. No one starting line up is better than the next and we try to prepare in such a way that we can compete with whatever lineup we put out there."  

Haley Clark and Gabby Cameron returned to the backline which only conceded three goals in all of last season and the midfield saw the return of its midfield general, Olivia Peraza.  

Although the game seemed to be landlocked in the middle third for most of the first half, Future FC Women still had the lion's share of possession and created most of the chances.  However, it took 25 minutes before the game was rewarded with a goal.  Midfielder Lalli Alonso, finding more attacking space with the return of Olivia Peraza, ran down a loose ball in the FC Premier box.  Alonso shielding the ball baited the FC Premier defender into a rash challenge and the referee waisted no time pointing to the spot.  Forward AJ Hennessey stepped up to the spot, and on the whistle buried the penalty to break the deadlock and give the Future Women a 1-0 lead and Hennessey's second goal of the young season.  Urged to press higher up the field, the Future FC Women midfield began closing down quicker and winning balls higher up the pitch creating multiple counter attack moments that failed to pay dividends.  That is unitl the 40th minute when Future FC Women midfielder Kamdyn Jalayer picked the pocket of her mark, then Lalli Alonso poking the ball in behind the Premier back line for Lauryn White to run onto.  White, driving into the left side of the box seemed to be contained but, in the last moment found a window to play a square pass into Tara Oper who beat her player to tap in from a yard out, taking her goal tally to a team high 3 goals in two games.

Future FC Women went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

At the break Future FC made their first change, bringing on Emelie Peraza for her first appearance in the 2023 season.  In the 55' minute the first chance of the second half presented itself, once again coming off the high press.  Alonso winning the ball in the box, played the ball back out into the feed of Olivia Peraza who played a threaded ball into White.  White turned, and calmly looking to place the ball into the right side of the net, saw her shot stymied by the FC Premier goalkeeper, pushing the ball out for a corner kick.  Only 2 minutes later, in what seemed to be an innocuous action, Lauryn White went down after a bounce pass, indicating she had injured her hamstring.  Not looking to take any chances with their key striker, the Future FC coaching staff pulled White off out of an abundance caution.  Future FC Youth player Kayla Medina came on for her second appearance in as many games. 

Team Captain Jenna Studer had another outstanding performance leading her back line, and also giving the Future midfield a push with several marauding runs forward setting off her attackers with perfectly weighted passes.  Studer commenting on the win said, "Putting together a winning game is always something we want.  This match provided moments of success and challenges but feel our backline and midfield core connected well with one another.  As we are still getting to know one another this was a great win for our new squad."  Future Goalkeeper Mikayla OBrien, earning her second clean sheet, echoed the sentiments saying, "It was a hard fought battle as we had to go through moments of adversity during the game.  In the end our hard work created a positive outcome and earned us 3 important points."

As the second half wore on, the Future Women began showing signs of fatigue making way for several players to make their first appearance.  Goalkeeper Alexa Riefer, defender Kylie Patterson and midfielders Isa Colin and Future FC Youth player, Mia Berney, all stepped up with the task of managing the remainder of the second half and ultimately securing the 2 nil victory. 

Future FC return to action next Sunday, June 4 as they head to Great Park Stadium to take on the So Cal Reds, for their third away match in as many games.  Continue to follow us here, as well as all of our social media platforms for news and updates.

Future FC Starting 11: Mikayla OBrien (Alexa Riefer), Kennedy Hackbarth (Emelie Peraza), Jenna Studer(c), Haley Clark (Kylie Patterson), Gabby Cameron (Kayla Medina), Olivia Peraza, Kamdyn Jalayer, Lalli Alonso (Isa Colin), Lauryn White (Mia Berney), Tara Oper, AJ Hennessey