Latest news with #Stordy
Calgary Herald
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Calgary Wild FC savours historic match to kick off women's pro soccer in city
Article content It was a draw that felt like a win at McMahon Stadium. Article content Yes … the scoreless result was simply secondary to what it meant for Calgary Wild FC to finally take the pitch — on Mother's Day yet — in the debut of professional women's soccer in the city. Article content 'Surreal,' said Wild star Grace Stordy, still overwhelmed moments after the nil-nil draw with Ottawa Rapid FC on a day that saw a whopping 8,556 fans — all seated in the east-side stands — show up for the historic match. Article content Article content Article content 'It was a long time coming,' said 23-year-old Stordy. 'It means a lot for us, the girls. You know … I think we have really good group of girls who are very willing and able to inspire the younger generation. And I think that there's a lot of girls — me included — that 10 years ago that would have told you that this would never happen. Article content 'So just sweet to be a role model for those girls and let them know that it is quite literally possible to play at this high level now here.' Article content Article content Sweeter yet was the opener being played on Mother's Day. Article content Article content 'My mom called me 'Kitten' growing up,' Stordy said. 'And so when I was running down the line very early on the game, I heard, 'Go, Kitten, go.' And then that was the end of that. Article content 'My mom has always been super supportive,' continued Stordy, fighting back tears. 'Both my parents flew to Portugal to watch me play. When I was at (NCAA) Tennessee in college, they quite literally travelled everywhere for me, so having the stability of them just driving 25 minutes to the stadium is sweet. And a bunch of friends, like two of my best friends, who have never seen me play here, they brought their moms, and that just means the world to me.' Article content Many of the players' moms made the trek to Calgary — flown in courtesy of sponsors Cenovus and The Dorian.
Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Wild soak up a NSL draw for the moms and memories
CALGARY - The Calgary Wild FC battled to a 0-0 draw against the Ottawa Rapid FC Sunday in their inaugural Northern Super League home opener at McMahon Stadium. Even with the lack of goals, the night is already etched in the collective memories of the players — and their moms, who accompanied them onto the pitch in honour of Mother's Day. Wild fullback Grace Stordy looked up in disbelief at a boisterous crowd of 8,556 in the stands. 'There's only one word to describe it — and that's surreal,' said the 23-year-old Calgarian who played professionally in Portugal before signing with her hometown women's soccer club. 'My mom calls me Kitten. And so when I was running down the line very early in the game, I heard, 'Go Kitten go.'' Stordy made a statement with her gritty, determined two-way play against an Ottawa side led by three-time Canadian Olympic medallist Desiree Scott. 'We have a really good group of girls who are able and willing to inspire this next generation,' Stordy said. 'We are ready to be role models for those young girls up there and show that it is possible for them to play at a high level here in Canada.' Ottawa controlled much of the play with 57 per cent possession and 17 shots taken (four of them on target). Calgary failed to record a targeted shot. 'We're pleased to take away a point,' said Calgary head coach Lydia Bedford. 'It's really important to us that when we don't play our best football, we come away with something. So we're proud of that point. 'And I think we probably could have taken all three (points) right there at the end.' In extra time, Wild forward Christie Gray raced down the left flank and fed Taegan Stewart in front for a glorious opportunity that sailed over the crossbar. 'Taegan took that really hard,' Bedford said. 'She's got a ton of potential, and the fact that she's even getting on the ball in those areas is really important to us.' Stewart is a Grade 12 student at Calgary's Bishop Carroll High School. 'Would have been nice if it went in,' Bedford said, wistfully. 'It would have been pretty sweet for a 17-year-old Calgarian to win us the game. 'But you know, it's a long, long season, so I'm sure that chance will come again for her.' Lisa Green flew in from Australia to escort her daughter Ally, a Wild defender, onto the pitch for the match. When Ally was 5 or 6, she started playing soccer on a boys' team with oversized shorts that draped over her socks. 'Today is the best Mother's Day ever, I reckon,' Lisa said, wiping tears from her eyes. 'As a mom, it's just so rewarding to see — because you know how hard they work to get to this point. 'A lot of them have lived in different countries — played in different places — and they're brave. They're so courageous.' The Rapid FC (1-1-1) head back to Ottawa for a Thursday clash with Vancouver Rise (2-1-1). Up next for the Wild FC (1-2-1) is a home date next Sunday against rising star Latifah Abdu and the Montreal Roses FC (3-0-1). This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Wild soak up a NSL draw for the moms and memories
CALGARY – The Calgary Wild FC battled to a 0-0 draw against the Ottawa Rapid FC Sunday in their inaugural Northern Super League home opener at McMahon Stadium. Even with the lack of goals, the night is already etched in the collective memories of the players — and their moms, who accompanied them onto the pitch in honour of Mother's Day. Wild fullback Grace Stordy looked up in disbelief at a boisterous crowd of 8,556 in the stands. 'There's only one word to describe it — and that's surreal,' said the 23-year-old Calgarian who played professionally in Portugal before signing with her hometown women's soccer club. 'My mom calls me Kitten. And so when I was running down the line very early in the game, I heard, 'Go Kitten go.'' Stordy made a statement with her gritty, determined two-way play against an Ottawa side led by three-time Canadian Olympic medallist Desiree Scott. 'We have a really good group of girls who are able and willing to inspire this next generation,' Stordy said. 'We are ready to be role models for those young girls up there and show that it is possible for them to play at a high level here in Canada.' Ottawa controlled much of the play with 57 per cent possession and 17 shots taken (four of them on target). Calgary failed to record a targeted shot. 'We're pleased to take away a point,' said Calgary head coach Lydia Bedford. 'It's really important to us that when we don't play our best football, we come away with something. So we're proud of that point. 'And I think we probably could have taken all three (points) right there at the end.' In extra time, Wild forward Christie Gray raced down the left flank and fed Taegan Stewart in front for a glorious opportunity that sailed over the crossbar. 'Taegan took that really hard,' Bedford said. 'She's got a ton of potential, and the fact that she's even getting on the ball in those areas is really important to us.' Stewart is a Grade 12 student at Calgary's Bishop Carroll High School. 'Would have been nice if it went in,' Bedford said, wistfully. 'It would have been pretty sweet for a 17-year-old Calgarian to win us the game. 'But you know, it's a long, long season, so I'm sure that chance will come again for her.' Lisa Green flew in from Australia to escort her daughter Ally, a Wild defender, onto the pitch for the match. When Ally was 5 or 6, she started playing soccer on a boys' team with oversized shorts that draped over her socks. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'Today is the best Mother's Day ever, I reckon,' Lisa said, wiping tears from her eyes. 'As a mom, it's just so rewarding to see — because you know how hard they work to get to this point. 'A lot of them have lived in different countries — played in different places — and they're brave. They're so courageous.' The Rapid FC (1-1-1) head back to Ottawa for a Thursday clash with Vancouver Rise (2-1-1). Up next for the Wild FC (1-2-1) is a home date next Sunday against rising star Latifah Abdu and the Montreal Roses FC (3-0-1). This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2025.
Calgary Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Pipe dream 'is finally here' in city, as Calgary Wild FC makes debut Sunday
If you ask the local players, they'll confirm Sunday's debut of women's professional soccer in Calgary is as surreal as it gets. Article content Wild stuff, if you will. Article content But … yes … after decades of believing it was nothing more than a pipe-dream, the kick-start of female pro footie in this city has finally arrived, with Calgary Wild FC taking to the new turf of McMahon Stadium for its first home game — ever — in the Northern Super League (5 p.m., TSN2). Article content Article content 'The day's finally here, and I couldn't be happier,' said excited star Grace Stordy, one of a handful of area stars — joining attacker Taegan Stewart, midfielders Christie Gray, Keelyn Stewart and Caleigh Boeckx, fellow defender Talia White and goalkeeper Sarah Keilty-Dilling — on Wild FC. Article content 'I mean … you heard rumours about this league like almost seven years ago now, and you were excited then, and then it took forever,' continued Stordy. 'So I personally lost a little bit of hope. But as soon as it was announced, you know it's coming and the day is finally here. So I couldn't be happier.' Article content And that's likely to be forefront come Game 1 on Mother's Day — an apt date for the Wild debut, to be sure — against visiting Ottawa Rapid FC. Article content Article content 'I hope so,' said 23-year-old Stordy, expecting a loud proud crowd come Sunday. 'You'll hear my mom, Pam, scream … she's loud. Article content 'I think we have some fiery fans, and I'm excited to see the turnout for this Sunday,' added Stordy. 'It's knowing, win or lose, you have a support system that is all for you. It's really special. And it's a good feeling, because you know, the lows are lows, but that just makes the highs even higher. Article content Article content 'Feeling just very grateful to have the city behind us.' Article content Stordy & Co. are led by captain and talented midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard, while English coach Lydia Bedford, 37, is the Wild manager. Article content And their shared believe is the fans will embrace the on-field style of the Calgary crew of 23 women, boosted by its efforts in the first three games despite a couple of unwelcome results. Article content 'I think we're really brave in the way we want to play,' said Dougherty Howard, 29. 'I think you've seen glimpses of it so far, and I think it's only going to get better as we have more time together and continue to grow into the season. But the style of football we want to play is very possession-oriented, and you have to be brave to play that way. Article content 'We're going to show you an exciting brand of soccer,' the captain continued. 'We hope to have the ball a lot, and I think as a fan, you always like when your team has the ball and we can control the game. Article content 'There's risk that comes with it, but it's so rewarding when it does come together and you can see and enjoy, as a spectator, really beautiful soccer. And I think we've been able to show that and are working hard to be able to show that through longer stretches in the game.'
