PREVIEW: NAPA VALLEY 1839, FC DAVIS

Written By: Katie Parker
Photography: Don Lex

NAPA VALLEY 1839 FC LOOKS FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE WIN
AS IT HOSTS FC DAVIS IN HOME OPENER

Napa Valley 1839 FC readies itself for its second match of the season on Sunday, June 2 against FC Davis in the Pac North Conference. In 2023, Davis took the W between the two by scoring just one goal and keeping Napa off the board. Davis is the only club to earn a shutout against Napa - and it’s done it two seasons in a row. 

Last season, one of Napa Valley Head Coach Ben Solomon’s focuses was to find a way to help his players not concede goals within the first ten minutes of the match. They consistently had a stint after kickoff where it would take them a bit to get in their groove and during that time they’d give up one or two goals, which would put them working from a deficit early on. 

Napa Valley 1839 FC vs San Francisco Elite, WPSL 2024 Season (Don Lex)
    

This season is Napa’s third season in the WPSL and if its first match of the season is any indication, the team has found that elusive groove. The club’s season and home opener against San Francisco Elite SC was an exciting one filled with impressive speed, heart, and goals from both sides. 
 

The main difference in this matchup from those of 2023? Napa was first to find the back of the net. 

Immediately after kickoff Napa put together a persistent drive up the field that was eventually foiled by San Francisco, which pushed forward next, but the ball continued to change hands in the midfield for a few minutes. 

Napa’s breakthrough began when Ryann Van Horn (Pacific Union College) intercepted a through ball and one-touched it to Shauna Johnston (California State University, Stanislaus) in the midfield. Johnston settled it and passed to Molly Silva (Saint Mary’s College (SMC)), who proceeded to push through not one, not two, but three defenders before she knocked it to Lily Terc (Sonoma State University). Terc saw Kim Garcia (California State University, Bakersfield) in line with the Elite defense ready to showcase her speed and sent the ball through. Garcia took a few long dribbles at pace and as Elite's keeper closed down she slipped the ball by at just the right moment giving Napa a 1-0 lead in the 5’. 

Napa Valley 1839 FC vs San Francisco Elite, WPSL 2024 Season (Don Lex)

San Francisco Elite was able to tie the match in the 27’, but Napa answered in the second half with back-to-back goals from Samantha Fenske (SMC) in the 62’ and 67’. Frenske earned a West Region Player of the Week nomination for her performance. Elite showed its resiliency and was able to find one more goal in the 78’ before falling to Napa 3-2 at the final whistle.

“We did really well as a team,” Garcia, in her second season with Napa, said. “We communicated, we fought for each other, we relied on each other, we trusted each other. I think that played a big part [in the win].”

Napa Valley will have home field advantage on Sunday against FC Davis. The club has a great home atmosphere with a supporters group called The Green Army, a mascot named Napa Snappa running the sideline and a very aromatic selection of food and beverages for the fans. 

Kickoff on Sunday, June 2 between Napa Valley 1839 FC and FC Davis is set for 2pm PDT.