Currently on loan from NWSL outfit Boston Breakers, American Frisbie has been a regular fixture for Glory this season, with her defensive ability and willingness to drive into midfield with the ball making her a real asset to Bobby Despotovski’s side.
Her first taste of the Westfield W-League and Australia has been an experience she insists she’ll never forget and the 25-year-old cites the welcoming nature of the squad as one of the major reasons why.
“I think this is one of the most special teams I’ve been a part of because it’s so rare to find a group where every single player gets along and everyone looks out for each other,” the University of Portland graduate said.
The defender, who claimed a league title with Icelandic outfit Stjarnan in 2016, has adapted to life in Western Australia with ease on and off the pitch, due partly to her housemate and Glory custodian, Melissa Maizels.
“Honestly, I love the people here so much, they’re very much my vibe,” she said. “Everyone seems so friendly and laid back and that’s something I’ve definitely warmed to, as well as living on the coast because the beaches and sunsets are unbelievable.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without Maizels here because it can be hard living away from home, but she’s my type of person and I know she’ll be a friend of mine for a long time.”
The versatile Texan has thrived in the heart of defence alongside Kim Carroll, but Frisbie revealed she hasn’t always been a centre-back.
“I’ve played a lot of different positions throughout my career,” she said. “I’ve been a forward most of my life. I then had some time at full-back, but it’s been great to play plenty of games in the centre of the defence as I continue to learn about all aspects of that role.”
The number 16’s athleticism and poise on the ball was perfectly exemplified in the second half of last Sunday’s game against Sydney when her barnstorming run from her own penalty area to the other brought the crowd to their feet.
“I feel really comfortable in possession,” she said. “I think that’s an advantage I have over most centre-backs who haven’t played up the pitch like I have. I enjoy that freedom of going forward and I don’t feel panicked when I make those runs from the defence.”
The Sydney result was a frustrating one, but Frisbie is confident the squad can still secure a finals berth.
“I think maybe we’re overthinking things a little bit,” she said. “We’ve had a couple of rough games and that can be hard to shake, but I think last weekend was one of our better performances this season despite the result.
“I think we can definitely build on that display and if we play similar to how we did against Sydney, then we have a great chance of making it to the finals.”
Glory travel down south to Bunbury this weekend to take on Canberra which is shaping up to be season-defining due to the current standings, but with plenty on the line, Frisbie cannot wait for the match-up.
“This is a massive game for us,” she acknowledged. “We all know how important it is for our finals chances, but that kind of pressure is what you live for as a footballer.”
You can catch Frisbie and the rest of the Glory squad in their crucial clash with Canberra United at Hay Park this Saturday at 4:30 PM.
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