Amanda Smith did her due diligence. She logged onto the Internet back in March and searched for anything she could find about the sights, sounds and culture of a city that she had never heard of.

And even with all of that, Smith still wasn’t sure how things were going to play out. She had pretty much spent portions of the previous year sheltered in place because of Canada’s COVID-19 guidelines, unable to play a sport that is a central part of who she is, and was now preparing to travel to another country to do so.

“It was definitely nerve-wrecking at first — new place, new people, new environment, new team, new everything,” Smith said. “But as soon as you got here, and you got to know the people, you got settled in at home, and kind of got the vibe of the team; it’s an awesome experience to be a part of.”

The experience was enriched because even though Smith is nearly 2,000 miles from her home in Ottawa, Ontario, there is a sense of familiarity.

Smith is one of five Canadians playing for Athenians SC, San Antonio’s club in United Women’s Soccer, a semi-pro league. She is joined by Jamie Erickson and sisters Paityn and Eden Bretzer from Edmonton, Alberta, and Ashley Cathro from Victoria, British Columbia.

“It, for sure, was comforting,” said Smith, who attends and plays at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, of having fellow countrywomen around. “It was nice having that relation of we’re from the same place, same experiences, that kind of stuff.”

The quintet has been instrumental in the Athenians (9-1) advancing to the postseason for the first time in their history. The team faces Side FC 92 of Tulsa, Okla., at 6 p.m. Saturday in Mansfield in the UWS’ Southwest Conference semifinals. Lone Star Republic takes on FC Austin Elite at 8:30 p.m. in the other semifinal. The semifinal winners will play at 7 p.m. Sunday for a spot at the national tournament, which is scheduled for July 23-25 in Round Rock.

It is the second meeting this season between Side FC and the Athenians. The local squad prevailed 2-1 on June 11, rallying after conceding a goal on a defensive lapse only three minutes into the contest with two first-half goals.

“I didn’t really have any expectations of how well this team was going to do,” said Cathro, a defender who plays at the University of Illinois. “But, I think, from my first few practices here, it was obvious how competitive the group was and hungry we were to win. I think as the season progressed, we’ve continually gotten better. I think we have a good chance of being successful during this playoff run.”

The players from north of the border have had a prominent role thus far, helping the Athenians compile a seven-match winning streak and establish a club record for single-season wins (nine) going into Saturday’s encounter. Smith, a forward, leads the team with nine goals. Erickson, a captain who has played every second (900 minutes) of all 10 matches, has teamed with Cathro to be part of a defense that has registered four shutouts, including one in each of its last three outings.

“Obviously, we’re here to make a contribution,” said Smith, who earlier this season netted the game-winning goal in three straight games. “It was definitely a nice opportunity to see what I could do at another level. You want to see if that professional level is an option. It’s definitely an eye-opener for me. It’s given me a lot more confidence in being able to move forward in a professional career — that’s definitely the end goal of my soccer career.”

And although the reasoning for each athlete’s arrival in San Antonio might differ, the past few months have been about more than soccer.

Feeling at home

On a steamy Saturday evening in mid-May, members of Athenians SC marched onto the field at Soccer Central, a state-of-the-art facility on the city’s northwest side. One behind the other, the 11 starters walked to midfield. Erickson was at the head of the line. Paityn Bretzer was three spots behind her. A few feet later were Eden Bretzer and Smith. Cathro was in front of the team’s bench with the other non-starting players.

After player introductions, the team members from Athenians SC and FC Austin Elite, the opponent that night for the season opener, turned toward the press box and stood at attention. What followed struck a chord.
Over the public address system blared:

“O Canada. Our home and native land.
True patriot love, thou dost in us command.
We see thee rising fair, dear land,
The True North, strong and free;
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada. O Canada.
O Canada. We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada. We stand on guard for thee.”

It was a small — and unexpected — gesture, but one that proved to be a symbolic welcome mat for the players, including a few who hadn’t seen family members in person for up to a year-and-a-half because of COVID-19 restrictions.

“It was nice,” Paityn Bretzer said. “It’s weird. You’re not used to hearing it, but I like that they do it.”

From the playing of their national anthem, to visiting some of the city’s prime attractions, to hanging out with their new teammates, the group has fit in perfectly to their new surroundings. One instance came recently when they gathered with local teammates to play Pickle ball, a game comprised of concepts of badminton, tennis and Wiffle ball that can be played by as many as four players at a time. A game is played to 11 points, with the winner having to win by two points. Only the serving team can score a point.

“All the local girls have been really great to kind of help us out, point us in the right direction of where’s good to go, what places to eat,” said Erickson, who played at and graduated from MacEwan University. “It’s been such a warm welcome here. They made an enjoyable experience, so I think given the opportunity I’d love to be back.”

Teammates weren’t the only ones showing love. A local soccer support group has held tailgates in the team’s honor on more than one occasion, including once before a recent San Antonio FC contest.

“It’s definitely crazy knowing that we have fans, even in the semi-pro level,” said forward Eden Bretzer, who at 17 is the youngest of the players from Canada. “I’m not really used to having people come up after games and ask for photos. There’s a little boy that Jamie coached once, and he just loves Jamie. Every time he sees her, he’s like, ‘Jamie. Jamie.’ It’s just really cool having that fan group.”

The occasion was one of many memory-making moments.

For Paityn Bretzer, this summer has provided a rare opportunity. She normally would be in Canada working for her grandfather, but with Canada’s coronavirus protocols likely limiting her ability to train, she found another outlet. Eden Bretzer, while signing to play in the Alamo City, told Athenians officials about her older sibling, who had just finished her junior season with Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana. Paityn would join the team shortly thereafter, marking the first time since Christmas that she has seen a family member in person. The sisters have made the most of the reunion, often sharing a post-match ice bath as if they were transported back to their Kiddie pool days.

Eden Bretzer has four goals and four assists and tallied three second-half goals in a 6-0 win vs. Central Texas on June 26, notching what is believed to be the Athenians’ second hat trick and first since Marlyn Campa accomplished the feat vs. Houston South Select in 2017. Paityn Bretzer also has four assists and one game-winning goal.

“It’s been a weird experience, because it’s an environment that I’m used to but I’m not used to having her in,” said Paityn, who will play her final season at Creighton as a graduate transfer. “I like having her here. I think it’s something we get to share together that a lot of people probably don’t get to share with their sibling. I’m really grateful for that. This has been my first summer in like three or four years where I’ve actually got to not work, just hang out, have fun and do what I want to do. I’m definitely taking advantage.”

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1