Inside the Talons’ Rebuild: Fernandez Balances Emotion, Strategy, and a Critical Draft Week
Lisa Fernandez Looks to Build a Champion… Again
Just a few months ago when the Talons captured the inaugural AUSL Championship, that group was a unit that complemented each other in every way. From the pitching staff’s dominance in the circle to the relentless at bats from players like Caroline Jacobsen, Tori Vidales, and Sydney Romero, that team simply clicked.
Now, General Manager Lisa Fernandez and her staff have to reassemble a group that is just as cohesive. It is a tough task, but one that Fernandez is focused on, fired up for, and ready to attack.
With their five protects, the Talons made sure to lock in the core of their pitching staff along with defensive genius Hannah Flippen. The Talons hit well last season and finished second in several offensive categories behind the Bandits, but it was their pitching and defense that stole the show. Talons finished with the league’s best ERA at 3.69, recorded 126 strikeouts, and tossed three shutouts. They also led the league with a .980 fielding percentage, showing just how complete they were on the defensive side.
Bringing back Sharlize Palacios was one of the smartest moves in preserving that identity. Keeping the battery intact matters more than most people realize. Having a catcher who gels with the staff is often the quiet engine behind elite pitching. Palacios brings that stability behind the plate and offers valuable production in the batter’s box as well.
That foundation is exactly why Fernandez wants to build this new roster around the pieces she kept. Her goal is simple. Assemble a team that is cohesive and capable of dominating in every phase.
“I’ve got to fill from players that have either retired, or players that have been selected from, you know, the expansion teams. So, really looking forward to be able to, you know, create a team that’s going to be cohesive, competitive, and a team hopefully that can dominate on both sides of the ball from the defensive end to the offensive end,” said Lisa Fernandez.
Lisa and the Talons now have to navigate the draft and do what every original team faces, try to get some of their pieces back. That task becomes even more frustrating when you already had a championship roster assembled. It almost feels unfair, but it is part of the reality that comes with expansion.
“I mean, to be the first champions of AUSL. It is a memory that is going to last a lifetime, and it is something that, you know, we will forever be bonded, you know, and to see us now have to literally create, you know, potentially a somewhat of a new team. I mean, it is really the hardest part of this whole draft and it was emotional.”
With players like Maya Brady, Tori Vidales, and Sierra Sacco among a productive group that will be sought after by others, that is something you definitely lose sleep over. Losing players you built a bond with and won a title with is not ideal or easy.
“I mean, obviously there are players that I may or may not be able to keep and, you know, that is hard. You know, we went through something that was so special. We took great pride in being able to, you know, set a goal to represent and then ultimately to accomplish it.”
That was something Fernandez fought hard to protect, but for the betterment of the league, the reality became bittersweet.
Looking ahead, I asked Lisa about the collegiate draft. This upcoming class is loaded across the board based on last season’s production and projected growth, and it is a major piece of what comes next for every roster in the AUSL. Fernandez explained that evaluating the collegiate class is one of the most challenging parts of building a roster, especially with how much players can develop year to year.
“Absolutely. I mean, the collegiate draft is a big part. You kind of have to look at the big picture to see where the strengths are in each draft and how that can help evolve your team.The crazy thing is, in regard to the college draft, we have not really even seen them play yet. Kids develop, right? What if somebody has a breakout?” Fernandez said.
“There are a lot of things that can happen within a year. Through the summer, through the fall, and then ultimately how they perform in March. So you do your best to do the research, evaluating the athletes in the college draft, and then you weigh the pros and cons. Is this a player who may be more experienced and you know what you are going to get, or do you take someone that looks amazing and might be able to perform equally or better?”
It is a lot to weigh, and it reminds us that Monday night’s draft is only the beginning of building a team for the 2026 season. The collegiate selections will shape much of what comes next for everyone.
In speaking with Fernandez, the passion and driven mission to accomplish everything again was as visible and clear as it gets. Looking to what she, Howard Dobson, and the Talons can build for year two will be the most intriguing story to watch in this process. How will the defending champions look?
Tune in Monday, December 1 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU for the AUSL Expansion and Allocation Draft.
