Austin Rise FC

Last updated

Austin Rise FC
Founded2022
Ground House Park Stadium,
Austin, Texas
Capacity6,500
ManagerBethany Cyrtmus-Davaul
CoachRogerio Celaya
League WPSL
20241st, Lonestar Conference,
2nd South Region
Website https://www.austinrisefc.com/

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 [1] as a member of the Texas Triangle Conference. Austin Rise's home matches are played at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Contents

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. [2] 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. [3]

First seasons

Austin Rise FC participated in the 2023 WPSL season as their first season as a club. [4] 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. [5]

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. [6] 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. [7] 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. [8] 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 Cristina Diaz Cerda. [9] 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. [10] Austin Rise FC ended the season in 4th Place [11] 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. [12] Austin Rise clinched the regular season title after their week 8 win against Fubolera Select, with one game left to play in the season. [13] Austin Rise was selected to host the South Region play-offs as the Lone Star Conference Champions. [14] Austin was drawn against FC Primetime in their first ever playoff match, [15] winning 1–0 to advance to the regional finals. Austin Rise faced Charlotte Eagles, the 2023 WPSL Champions, in the regional final, losing 4–0, ending their season.

Fully professional

Austin Rise FC announced their intent to become a fully professional women's soccer team on August 22, 2023. [16] 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. [17]

Sponsorship

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsorSleeve sponsorRef.
2023–presentDiazaAlly Medical Emergency RoomJuiceland [18] [19] [20]

Management team

PositionName
Manager Flag of the United States.svg Bethany Cyrtmus-Davaul
Coach Flag of Mexico.svg Rogerio Celaya [21]

Coaching History

As of June 1, 2025
NameYearsMatchesWonDrawnLostWin %
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Krall202310433.550
Flag of Mexico.svg Rogerio Celaya2024–161042.708

    Roster

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

    Year-by-year

    As of July 12, 2025
    SeasonLeaguePositionPlayoffs
    DivLeagueConferencePldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGConf.
    20234 WPSL Texas Triangle104331715+2151.504thDNQ
    2024 4 WPSL Lone Star10631239+14212.101stConference Finals
    2025 4 WPSL Lone Star10712188+10222.201stRegion Semifinals
    Total3017765832+26581.93–

    Awards and honors

    Team

    WPSL

    • Lone Star Conference – Regular Season Champions: 2024

    Individual

    Best XI

    YearAwardAwardeePositionRef
    2023Texas Triangle Conference Best XI Flag of the United States.svg Natalie Green DF [22]
    Flag of Spain.svg Cristina Diaz Cerda MF
    2024 Lone Star All-Conference Flag of the United States.svg Peyton Urban GK [23]
    Flag of the United States.svg Ryann Jergovich DF
    Flag of the United States.svg Lily Erb MF
    Flag of the United States.svg Hailey Sapinoro FW
    2025 Lone Star All-Conference Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Alondra Iriarte GK [24]
    Flag of England.svg Lauren Westwood DF
    Flag of the United States.svg Tori Lucksinger MF
    Flag of the United States.svg Maya Ramirez FW

    South Region - Players of the Year

    YearNamePositionReference
    2024 Flag of the United States.svg Lily Erb MF [25]
    2025 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Alondra Iriarte GK [26]
    Flag of England.svg Lauren Westwood MF

    South Region - Organization of the Year

    YearOrganizationReference
    2024 Austin Rise FC [27]
    2025 Austin Rise FC (2) [28]

    Austin Rise Player Awards

    YearPlayer of the YearRising StarDefender of the YearGoal of the Year
    2023Cristina Diaz [29] Sara Navarro [30] Natalee Geren [31] Angela Fuster Sendra [32]

    References

    1. ↑ "Austin Rise FC, 100% women-owned, joins Women's Premier Soccer League". www.Fox7Austin.com. Fox Sports. December 15, 202. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
    2. ↑ "THE WPSL WELCOMES 100 PERCENT WOMEN-OWNED CLUB AS 2023 EXPANSION SIDE". Women's Premier Soccer League. December 15, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
    3. ↑ "WPSL PRO MOVES INTO NEXT PHASE WITH FIVE TEAMS SIGNING LOIs". www.WPSLSoccer.com. WPSL Pro. August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
    4. ↑ Becerra, Stephanie (December 15, 2023). "Austin Rise FC latest to join Women's Premier Soccer League, officially competes in 2023". www.CBSAustin.com. CBS. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
    5. ↑ "Austin Rise FC". www.WPSLSoccer.com. Women's Premier Soccer League. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
    6. ↑ @AustinRiseFC (May 28, 2023). "Coming home with our first point" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    7. ↑ "Match Center". www.WPSLSoccer.com. Women's Premier Soccer League. June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
    8. ↑ "Match Center". www.WPSLSoccer.com. Women's Premier Soccer League. June 4, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
    9. ↑ "Match Center". www.WPSLSoccer.com. Women's Premier Soccer League. June 17, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    10. ↑ "Match Center". www.WPSLSoccer.com. Women's Premier Soccer League. June 29, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    11. ↑ Hygh, John (July 21, 2023). "Austin Rise FC wraps up first season in Women's Premier Soccer League". Fox 7 Austin. Austin, TX. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    12. ↑ "South Region season Preview". Women's Premier Soccer League. March 21, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
    13. ↑ "Lone Star Round Table". Women's Premier Soccer League. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
    14. ↑ "2024 WPSL Playoffs Bracket". Women's Premier Soccer League. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
    15. ↑ "Playoffs: Austin Rise FC, FC Primetime". Women's Premier Soccer League. July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
    16. ↑ @WPSL (August 22, 2023). "The Women's Premier Soccer League announced today the five initial clubs that have signed LOIs to 𝗪𝗣𝗦𝗟 𝗣𝗥𝗢" (Tweet). Retweeted by AustinRiseFC – via Twitter.
    17. ↑ @AustinRiseFC (August 22, 2023). "We're so excited for the opportunity to bring professional women's soccer to Austin as an LOI market for the WPSL Pro! Here's some info on what that means" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    18. ↑ "Ally Medical Partners With Austin Rise FC, Season Starts June 11". KXAN. Austin, TX. May 16, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
    19. ↑ @AustinRiseFC (May 12, 2023). "@juiceland official sponsor" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    20. ↑ @AustinRiseFC (May 28, 2023). "Here we go #Austintexas your starting 11 for our 1st 2023 season game" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    21. ↑ @AustinRiseFC (January 26, 2024). "Join us in welcoming @RogerCelaya1 as Head Coach for 2024!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    22. ↑ "Best of the WPSL - Texas Triangle Conference". www.WPSLSoccer.com. WPSL. August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
    23. ↑ "South Awards - All Conference". www.WPSLSoccer.com. Women's Premier Soccer League. August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
    24. ↑ "AWARDS: CENTRAL REGION BEST XI". Women's Premier Soccer League. July 30, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
    25. ↑ "Player of the Year - South Region". Women's Premier Soccer League. August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
    26. ↑ "POTY: CENTRAL REGION". Women's Premier Soccer League. July 31, 2025. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
    27. ↑ "Franchise of the Year - South Region". Women's Premier Soccer League. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
    28. ↑ "OOTY: CENTRAL REGION". Women's Premier Soccer League. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
    29. ↑ @AustinRiseFC (August 5, 2023). "Last, but not least, we're excited to announce @cristinadiaazz as our 2023 Player of the Year!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    30. ↑ @AustinRiseFC (August 3, 2023). "With 3 goals and a number of assists this season, 19-year-old Sara Navarro is our 2023 Rising Star" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    31. ↑ @AustinRiseFC (August 2, 2023). "Today we celebrate our Defender of the Year, and the award goes to none other that @NataleeGeren" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    32. ↑ @AustinRiseFC (August 1, 2023). "We bring you the 2023 Rise awards, starting with Goal of the Year by @ailafustersndra" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.