There are many ways to determine a player’s worth to a soccer team.
Long Island Rough Riders head coach Matt Lannon discovered how much midfielder Millie Davies was respected and feared by the opposition prior to the USL W League Eastern Division final against NC Courage U23 in Mechanicsburg, Pa. on July 7.
The team was given host Eagle FC’s locker room before the match and Lannon could not help but notice a scouting report that emphasized Davies.
“So, we had seen all the scouting reports and there was a big, big scouting report on Millie Davis, which should really fill Millie full of pride,” he said. “How can you deal with her? Where can you deal with her?”
The Rough Riders eliminated Eagle FC in the semifinals on July 5, behind a 2-1 victory.
Then came the NC Courage U23 two days later.
“They were already out,” Lannon said. “But it was cool for the girls to come in and see the scouting report.”
NC Courage U23 eliminated the Rough Riders in the conference final, 3-0.
Davies’ teammates also thought highly enough to name her the team’s Players’ Player of the year.
That did not surprise Lannon at all.
“She’s got quite an infectious personality, a great attitude towards the game,” he said. “Quality player. So good on the ball. Really, really determined. Hard working off the ball.”
Davies’ most memorable match?
Lannon said it was the 2-2 draw against Morris Elite.
“She was genuinely everywhere,” he said. “She played a big part.”
A native of Manchester, England, Davies is playing in her junior year at Hofstra University. Through games of Sunday, Sept. 15, she has collected a goal and an assist.
In 2023, Davies had her moments on and off the field. She was an All-Coastal Athletic Association Championship selection and a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection.
Long Island completed yet another successful USL W-League season in 2024.
The Rough Riders won the Metropolitan Division crown with a 10-0-2 record and 69 points. They outscored their opposition in the regular season, 69-9.
Davies is eligible to return to the Rough Riders for the 2025 USL W League campaign.
The Rough Riders will return to action next May.
Stay updated with the latest on the Rough Riders by visiting www.LIRoughRiders.com.