Lewerissa: A Career Journey Through European Football
The professional journey of Lewerissa is marked by consistent goal-scoring prowess and a resilient spirit. Spanning several top-tier clubs in the Netherlands and Belgium, her career is a testament to her ability to impact the game from the moment she stepped onto the pitch.
Key Facts
- Debut: Started her league career with VVV-Venlo on September 2, 2010.
- PSV Success: Top goal scorer for three consecutive seasons, totaling 34 Eredivisie goals.
- Hat-trick Record: Recorded multiple hat-tricks during her first tenure at Standard Liège.
- Resilience: Successfully overcame a breast cancer diagnosis in 2022.
- Retirement: Officially retired from professional football on May 29, 2024.
Early Career and VVV-Venlo
Lewerissa entered the professional scene with VVV-Venlo, making her league debut against Heerenveen on September 2, 2010. She quickly established herself as a scoring threat, netting her first league goals on October 21, 2010, where she scored a brace—two goals in a single match—in the 23rd and 43rd minutes against Willem II.
First Tenure at Standard Liège
Moving to the Belgian league, Lewerissa continued her trend of immediate impact. She scored in the 47th minute of her league debut against Zulte Waregem on August 25, 2012. Her time at Standard Liège was highlighted by exceptional individual performances, including a hat-trick against K.A.A Gent on November 29, 2013, and another against OH Leuven on February 24, 2015.
Dominance at PSV
On July 30, 2015, Lewerissa joined PSV. She maintained her streak of debut goals, scoring in the 68th minute against PEC Zwolle on August 21, 2015. One of her most prolific outings occurred on October 16, 2015, when she scored four goals against VV Alkmaar.
During her three seasons with the Eindhoven-based club, she was the team's top goal scorer every year. She consistently scored at least 10 goals per season, accumulating a total of 34 goals in the Eredivisie (the top professional football league in the Netherlands) during her stay.
Transition to AFC Ajax
Lewerissa joined AFC Ajax, making her league debut against PEC Zwolle on September 7, 2018. She found the net for the first time with the club on September 30, 2018, scoring in the 78th minute against VV Alkmaar. She concluded her tenure with Ajax on a high note, scoring two goals in her final appearance for the club.
Return to Standard Liège and Final Years
After an initial announcement of her retirement, Lewerissa decided to return to the pitch and re-signed with Standard Liège. However, her second spell was met with a significant personal challenge; in February 2022, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Showing immense strength, she announced she was cancer-free by August 2022.
Lewerissa played her final club match on May 25, 2024, contributing to a 5–1 victory over Club Brugge. She officially announced her retirement from the sport on May 29, 2024.
Career Summary
| Club | Notable Achievement | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| VVV-Venlo | First professional brace | League debut Sept 2, 2010 |
| Standard Liège (1st spell) | Multiple hat-tricks | Debut goal Aug 25, 2012 |
| PSV | 34 Eredivisie goals | Top scorer for 3 seasons |
| AFC Ajax | Two goals in final game | League debut Sept 7, 2018 |
| Standard Liège (2nd spell) | Overcame cancer diagnosis | Retired May 29, 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Lewerissa score for PSV?
Lewerissa scored a total of 34 goals in the Eredivisie during her three seasons with PSV, finishing as the club's top scorer in each of those years.
When did Lewerissa officially retire?
Lewerissa announced her official retirement from professional football on May 29, 2024.
Which clubs did Lewerissa play for during her career?
She played for VVV-Venlo, Standard Liège (twice), PSV, and AFC Ajax.
What health challenge did Lewerissa face during her second spell at Standard Liège?
In February 2022, Lewerissa was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she announced she was cancer-free in August 2022.
Did Lewerissa score on her debuts?
Yes, she had a remarkable record of scoring on her league debuts for Standard Liège (August 25, 2012) and PSV (August 21, 2015).