SEATTLE REIGN FC vs. HOUSTON DASH POSTGAME QUOTES
Friday, October 18, 2024 • Lumen Field • Seattle, WA
Head Coach Laura Harvey
On her thoughts on the win:
“I thought we moved the ball well at times. I thought in the first half, up until we scored, I thought we were excellent. They got back into it a little bit after they scored. We didn’t control the game as well. But I thought in the second half, up until maybe the last five minutes, we really controlled the game. I think we knew that coming into the game that with the team that we had out, we might give a few things up, but if we could control the ball and we could control the game with the ball, it would give us the greatest chance of winning the game, and I thought we did a good job of that.”
On the performances of Athens and Mondésir:
“I thought Liv (Olivia Athens) was excellent. I mean, I’m probably emotional about it right now, but I feel like that was her best performance for the Reign and topped it off with a fantastic goal. Coco (Nérilia Mondésir) did great. I think we took a risk playing the three of them in midfield. I’m not sure we could do that against all the teams in this league, but I think we really felt we could control the ball. So, I think you saw some of Coco’s qualities. She’s worked really hard. She’s been pushing and pushing to get the opportunity that she got tonight. I’m really happy for her. Honestly, her goal, I can’t really remember it apart from it hitting the back of the net. It seemed just to be like, I don’t know, pinball or something. But yeah, she’s got quality. She can make things happen out of nothing. Yeah, really pleased with both of them, actually. I thought Liv was excellent.”
On the defense and having Veronica Latsko play as a right back again:
“I thought Veronica did well, especially second half in front of me, I thought she did really well. I could wax lyrical about JB (Jordyn Bugg) always. It was great having Lu back. I think Lu and Jordyn are a really good pair – they’re both calm, they both have really good quality on the ball. Lu was just tired at the end. Obviously, it’s no secret she’s had some injury issues, so she was just really fatigued towards the end of the game. So yeah, I thought Hanna did great, especially in the second half. I think in the first half, they really tried to get at her and we had to weather that storm, and Claudia made some good saves. So yeah, I think overall really happy with the back line.”
Midfielder Olivia Athens and Forward Nérilia Mondésir
On her overall thoughts on the team’s performance:
Olivia Athens: “I think, we knew this was our last game at home, so we really wanted to get a win for our fans and to end the season with a win. So, that felt really good. We’re really happy with that.”
Nérilia Mondésir: “It went really well. This was my first match starting, and I was really excited to contribute to the win.”
On her goal and if she was planning on waiting to see if the ball would come out to her:
Olivia Athens: “Yeah, I mean, that was my spot on corner kicks. So, I guess I can credit Scott (Parkinson) for that one. But yeah, it just, fortunately, fell right to me, and I just remember thinking, hit it on frame, and I’m just glad it went in and I could help the team.”
On how Nérilia “Coco” Mondésir’s activity in the press helps the midfield:
Olivia Athens: “I think whenever you can be aggressive on the front foot, it makes it very predictable for everyone behind, so she did a great job at that tonight. I think it showed and helped us a lot. So yeah, I would just say, it really helped us get pressure on the ball and make play predictable, that we can read and hopefully regain possession.”
On getting the captain’s armband from Lauren Barnes and her growth over the years:
Olivia Athens: “Yeah, honestly, I was very shocked. I think I looked at Lu and I was like, ‘Are you sure?’ Obviously, it’s such a huge honor and it wasn’t expected at all. So yeah, very thankful and fortunate that Lu and Laura trusted me with that responsibility. I think there’s been highs and lows these last three years, so I think it’s just navigating that and realizing that things are so temporary and they can change on a whim. I’ve gone from not dressing to scoring the next game, so I think it’s just managing the emotions that come with being a professional athlete, and I guess that things take time. I just feel very fortunate to be at this club and to contribute even just a little.”
On scoring her first NWSL goal and what it has been like for her to join the Reign in the middle of the season:
Nérilia Mondésir: “It’s been a new experience for me – living in a new country where I don’t know anyone, but the team has been really receptive, the fans have been really warm and people have been very cool and helpful, and I’m really happy to be here.”
On adjusting to the NWSL:
Nérilia Mondésir: “The NWSL is very different from the league that I played in in France. I’m lucky to be on a team where my teammates and my coaches are so understanding and supportive. Now that I’ve gotten a goal, I’m really excited to keep working hard and get lots more.”