Heidelberg United’s reputation as a late bloomer in the Women’s Premier League will be put to the test in the coming weeks as their new international arrivals are integrated into the squad.
Every team will be trying to do their homework on American Christy Zwolski, and former New Zealand youth international Elise Mamanu-Gray.
The reigning runner-up transformed its team from middle-marker to grand finalist last season when Kelsey Quinn, Kendra Jones and Laura Di Clemente touched down from the USA.
Quinn is back this season as the Warriors’ goalkeeper but a mass overhaul of the Heidelberg squad will again include a mid-season integration of new internationals.
Both Zwolski and Mamanu-Gray played the majority of the match as forwards in Heidelberg’s 2-1 win against FC Bulleen Lions on Monday night.
Zwolski was a prolific scorer for US college Marquette and has since played for the Cincinnati Saints of the semi-pro Women’s Premier Soccer League which features teams from Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana.
Zwolski showed a tendency to come deep to win the ball and looked comfortable back-tracking to assist in defence.
Mamanu-Gray played with a genuine striker’s instinct, comfortable attacking down either the left or right flank.
A well-timed half volley in the first half was plucked out of the air by Bulleen goalkeeper Cass Dimovski, while the assistant referee’s flag chalked off what would have been a 3-1 lead for Heidelberg in the second half.
“I thought I was on, looking along the line I thought I was on,” Mamanu-Gray said with a laugh.
“The pace was very fast, a lot of ball on the ground, not too direct, I liked how we played.”
Mamanu-Gray spent the start of the decade at US College Indiana University-Purdue Univeristy Fort Wayne or IPFW, and in more recent times in the Otago Football league as well as a handful of appearances for Football South in the NZ women’s national league.
The connection to Heidelberg United came via Warriors’ centre back Laura Phillips, a teammate at Otago-region club Dunedin Techincal in New Zealand last year.
“We don’t have a lot of clubs back home…I haven’t been playing competitive football since coming back from America really,” Mamanu-Gray said.
“I’m looking to get back into it and get some physicality into my game.
“Football is the number-one thing I’m here for, but I’m loving Melbourne so far. I’m very happy I came here.”