PLAYOFFS: AUSTIN RISE FC, FC PRIMETIME

Written By:  Kyra Campbell
Photography:  Lynelle Leinbach, Felix Herrera

AUSTIN RISE FC AND FC PRIMETIME SQUARE OFF IN OPENING ROUND OF SOUTH REGION PLAYOFFS

On Saturday, July 13, Austin Rise FC will host FC PrimeTime in the second South Region Playoff semifinal at 7:45 PM CT at House Park, Austin, Texas. 

In 2023, Austin finished fourth in the Lone Star Conference while FC PrimeTime won the Sunshine and earned a playoff berth.

Austin Rise FC built on its inaugural season in 2023 and found success in this season. The South Region Playoff hosts finished the 2024 regular season as the Lone Star Conference Champions with a record of 6-3-1. 

The Rise is led by Hailey Sapinoro, University of South Carolina Upstate defender, Lily Erb, Texas State University midfielder, and Brigid McElderry, Samford University midfielder. 

Sapinoro is the Rise’s leading goalscorer with five goals and tied for third in the Lone Star Conference. Erb led the team in assists with two, tied for third in the conference, and also contributed one goal on the season. McElderry finished with two goals and one assist. 

FC PrimeTime’s 2023 season ended with a 1-0 loss to the Charlotte Eagles in the South Region Playoffs semifinal. In 2024, Sunshine Conference representatives finished at 5-2-1 on the season. 

FC PrimeTime is led by Emily Thompson and Lily Nava, both forwards from the University of Central Florida, as well as Francesca Brito, Lynn University forward. Thompson ended the regular season with five goals that tied for second in the conference. Nava finished the regular season tied for second in assists in the Sunshine Conference with two. Brito recorded three goals and an assist.

The winners of this matchup will advance to the South Region Final to be held on July 14 at 7 PM CT, where they will face the winner of the semifinal between the Charlotte Eagles and Futbolera Select. 

The winner of the South Region Final will advance to the Championship series in Stillwater, Oklahoma to be held on July 20-21.