In the first two games of their inaugural season, the Hammer FC WPSL team fought tough conditions to pull out two wins. Hammer FC traveled to St. Louis, and in consecutive days of 90 degrees plus, beat St. Louis Scott Gallagher on Sunday 1-0, and then FC Metro Magic on Monday 1-0.
On Sunday, playing at the beautiful Busch Soccer Park, Hammer was able to fight off an excellent Scott Gallagher team that pushed until the very end. Against the run of play, Rachelle Snouffer was able to sneak a goal on a fast break in the 60th minute. Kristen McFadden (IP-Fort Wayne) and Carrie Martin (SUNY-Binghampton) combined in goal for the shut-out.
In similar conditions on Monday, Hammer was able to score a goal in the 82nd minute off a short corner. The ball was played in to Megan Berberich who fired in a low cross to Sam Bradford and she converted the pass from about 15 yards to give Hammer the lead they deserved.
WPSL Press Release
CINCINNATI, OH (01/29/10) - The "Queen City" will be home to a new sports franchise this summer, as Hammer F.C. will be part of the Midwest Conference of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Hammer has entered the league to continue with it’s long & proud history of developing players and providing them with every opportunity to play at every possible level, and will be the only club in the Cincinnati-area representing this prestigious league.
Buck Lally - the current Men’s Director of Coaching for Hammer F.C. - has been named their Head Coach for their inaugural season, while former Santa Clara star and Hammer FC Women's Assistant Director of Coaching, Tiffany Roberts will serve as his assistant, alongside her duties as Media Relations Director for the WPSL team. The team’s home venue will be at the Xavier University Soccer Complex (70 x 115 Field Turf pitch), providing a first-class facility for both fans & players alike.
"When the WPSL extended the invitation for us to join we jumped at it," said Lally. "This is a great opportunity for our club to showcase our players and other great women soccer players from Cincinnati... Player development has always been the base of our club. Now with our involvement in WPSL, the younger players in our organization can see how hard work and dedication can pay off.
"In addition to that, it provides our youth the chance to watch high-level soccer and to have someone to look up to. This competitive environment allows Hammer F.C. players to return from their respective colleges and continue to get better while playing against some of the best players in the country."
"Hammer F.C. is another solid franchise added to our ever-expanding Midwest Conference," said WPSL Commissioner Jerry Zanelli. "Their youth system gives them a firm base to build on, and for that reason, I’m sure the soccer fans in Cincinnati will really welcome this team."
Lally holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "B" coaching license and was formerly with the Houston Texans Soccer Club, where he was a member of the professional staff for five years. Prior to coaching with the Texans, Buck was an assistant women’s coach at Coker College (NCAA Division II) - where he also played in his collegiate days - and McNeese State University (NCAA Division I).
Roberts holds a USSF "D" coaching license, and is a former Santa Clara University player, where she played for four years under Head Coach Jerry Smith. While there, she was part of the Final Four side that lost to Notre Dame, who would eventually win the NCAA College Cup. Originally from Phoenix, AZ, Tiffany has been in Cincinnati-area for the past two years working with various Hammer teams.
Hammer FC is a non-profit, 501c3 organization affiliated with Ohio South Youth Soccer Association (OSYSA). The youth teams play in the Cincinnati United Soccer League (CUSL), the Midwest Regional League and Buckeye/MOSSL Premier League. Hammer has a long history of success including winning a National Championship, several Regional Championships and many State Championships.
"We were looking for ways to continue our college prep program and the WPSL allows our college players to do just that," said Roberts.
Classics Hammer FC is proud to announce that the Women’s Premier Soccer League is coming to Cincinnati in the Summer of 2010. Beginning in May 2010, CHFC will continue its long and proud history of developing players and providing them with every opportunity to play at every possible level through the WPSL.
