Sophie Hillyerd will likely remember the month of October 2022 for the rest of her career.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper was thrust into action last weekend, replacing an injured Mackenzie Arnold in a 3-2 victory over Reading at the Chigwell Construction Stadium and making her professional debut in the process
Then, against Arsenal, she would make her full debut between the posts as she faced off against one of the best teams on the planet.
Whilst she could do nothing to prevent the three goals that the home side scored, Hillyerd did make a number of impressive saves throughout the contest.
And the former Manchester United and Charlton Athletic goalkeeper enjoyed the experience of playing in the Barclays Women's Super League.
"It was a great feeling to be out there making my full debut and starting a match," Hillyerd told whufc.com.
"It's something that has come around a lot sooner than I expected, and I didn't think I would be starting a WSL match at this stage of my career, but I really enjoyed the experience.
"I had some nerves before the game, but I think being on last week against Reading helped a little bit with that, but as soon as the whistle sounded, I settled down a little bit and felt my confidence grow."
The young goalkeeper has been working within a goalkeeper unit that includes No.1 and Australia international Mackenzie Arnold, as well as former West Ham United goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, who has been helping Hillyerd on a daily basis that their Chadwell Heath training base.
Hillyerd credited them both for the way in which they have helped her improve since she made the move to east London.
"I think everyone has really put their trust in me and I really felt that tonight. Macca (Mackenzie Arnold) and Jimmy have really pushed me and have helped me improve so much.
"Not everyone would be able to put their trust in a 19-year-old that plays in such a crucial position in the team, so I hope that I was able to repay them in some way tonight.
"It was a big night for me, I had some friends here supporting me from back home in Bristol. I didn't actually realise until midway through the first half that they were standing directly behind my goal.
"I went over and gave them all a hug at the full-time whistle, it was nice to have them here to celebrate this milestone for me personally."
On the performance as a whole, Hillyerd praised the efforts of her teammates, who gave everything that they had at Meadow Park on Sunday evening.
"I think we gave absolutely everything that we had in the first half. Maybe we got a little bit tired in the second half, as the press seemed to drop off a little bit and we were heading back towards our own goal.
"But overall, we played against a really good side, a side that hadn't conceded a goal in the WSL until tonight, so I think we've got to be proud of how we performed.
"There's plenty of positives that we can take as a team into the next game against Brighton," Hillyerd concluded.
West Ham United Women are back at Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday 6 November when they face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Tickets for the clash against the Seagulls are available to purchase now by clicking on the graphic below!
