Match #3 vs. Rayo Vallecano

Thursday, August 14

For the third match of the trip, the Garnet women took on a formidable but friendly Rayo Vallecano. As was mentioned in the last post, our players were awed, initially, by the stunning facility at Ciudad Deportiva Fundacion. The complex was gorgeous, and the club's other teams could be seen training on the nearby fields as we warmed up to play.  

The technical ability and skills of the Rayo Vallecano women were clear even in their warm-up. The players and coaches of our squad knew that it would be a good experience to have a chance to take the field with such a team. Rayo Vallecano plays in the first division of the Spanish women's professional league, often contending for championships with some of the most talented women's teams in Spain, including F.C. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. In the last six La Liga seasons, Rayo Vallecano has finished in first three times, in fourth twice, and in sixth once. There are sixteen teams total in this top division.

While the final score of the match, 7-0, was strongly in favor of the Vallecano squad, the Garnet women held their own and played well against the talented opposition. The Swarthmore players were able to maintain possession of the ball and create scoring chances, despite the high pressure placed on them by the opposing defense. 

Standout performances by the Garnet goalkeepers should be noted. Both Reba Magier and Caela Long combined for 19 saves on the night, many of those saves showing remarkable athleticism and reaction ability against the Rayo Vallecano attack.

After the game, the Garnet players were happy to have had the opportunity to share the field with the Rayo Vallecano women. Several players expressed how much of a learning experience it was and how much they enjoyed playing with and against such talented players. Despite the language barrier, the Swarthmore girls were able to spend some time talking to the Rayo Vallecano players after the match. We were also able to take a group photo.

Overall, while the result showed a loss, the game was a great experience for the Swarthmore team, and one that they will carry with them back to Swarthmore and into the season.

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