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TEAM OF THE WEEK: MERRIMACK VALLEY HAWKS FC

MATCHWWEEK SEVEN

Published Jun 24, 2025

The tally on the scoresheet in Merrimack Valley Hawks FC’s Matchweek Six match at Sporting CT might have been a loss. But Merrimack learned something in its 2-1 loss to the No. 1 team in the nation two weeks running.

“That match told us something important. We belonged on that field. We took plenty of positives from that performance and used them as fuel,” Joel Deleon, Merrimack Valley Hawks FC managing partner, said.

That fuel the Hawks came away from the match fueled the fire that helped dethrone the top team in the country a week later, earning Merrimack Valley Hawks FC the Global Scarves Team of the Week honors for Matchweek Seven.

Photo by Dave Bibbons

With a rematch with Sporting CT at Melucci Field on the campus of Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, N.H., the Hawks technical staff went to work, pouring over the game footage, looking for even the smallest weakness the Hawks could optimize the Hawks performance against the runaway conference leaders.

“We broke down their [Sporting CT] strengths—especially in the defensive third—and identified areas where we could improve. We knew where we fell short, and we knew what needed fixing,” Deleon said.

On Saturday, as a primer, the Hawks walked away with a 2-1 win over Albany Rush. Even before the referee blasted the whistle for a third time thoughts had already turned to the rematch with Sporting less than 24 hours away.

“The mindset was simple: be sharper in both boxes, execute with purpose, and play with intent. And that’s exactly what we did,” Deleon said.

Merrimack set the tone immediately, pressing relentlessly from the opening whistle, playing with a hunger and fire, urgency, and belief that they could do more than just play with the top ranked team in the nation, they could beat them.

Photo by Dave Bibbons

Even before Sporting knew what happened, Merrimack was up 2-0 thanks to goals by Emanuelly Ferreira and Meredith McDermott just 20 minutes into the match. Two minutes after Sporting pulled a goal back, Ashlyn Walsh put in Merrimack’s third on the day.

“This time, we were clinical. We finished out chances and made key moments count. But beyond the tactics and execution, it was our mentality that made the difference,” Deleon said.

After that it was left up to goalkeeper Sally Rainey and her back line of Eliana Parreira, Hana Col, and Maddie Gutherie, and the team’s collective will to pull off the upset of the season across the entire league.

“We’ve poured everything into this season—every training, every match, every moment. The only thing to regret is that it’s almost over,” Deleon said.

Sunday’s statement win puts Merrimack Valley Hawks FC (4-2-1) into second place in the Northeastern Conference by two points with three matches to play. The Hawks are back in action at home on Tuesday versus New York Shockers and Sunday at Kingston Capitals. The Hawks close out the regular season July 2 at Albany Rush.

“This wave may have come late, but the belief, the fight, and the love for this team have never been stronger,” Deleon said. “We can only keep rising from here. Every great story starts somewhere. Ours is just beginning.”