United Women’s Soccer Week 2 Recap

United Women’s Soccer is a national women’s league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars.

The league is comprised of three different conferences: East, West and Midwest.

Here are the results from around the league in Week 2:

West Conference Results: 

Real Salt Lake Women 0 – 2 So Cal Crush FC

The Real Salt Lake Women hosted So Cal Crush FC at Clyde Field on the campus of Utah Valley University. RSLW almost took an early lead when a 12^th minute shot from forward Jessica Vanderveur breezed past the keeper, but was cleared away after striking the post. In the 38^th minute, Crush FC forward Nancy Avesyan assisted Hailey James on a goal to put So Cal up 1-0.

In the 69^th minute, RSLW looked to be in position to equalize the game after midfielder Wesley Hamblin dribbled past Crush goalkeeper Adriana Maldonado. However, her shot was cleared off the line by the Crush defense. In the 82^nd minute, Trinidad and Tobago international Janelle McGee scored a second goal for the Crush. Despite winning the possession battle, RSLW was unable to score and fell 2-0 to So Cal Crush FC.

East Conference Results:

Rochester Lady Lancers 1 – 1 New York Magic

The Rochester Lady Lancers faced the New York Magic for their inaugural home opener at Wegmans Stadium on the Aquinas Institute campus. The game remained scoreless until the 32^nd minute, when Rochester forward Alexa Antetomaso scored after receiving a gorgeous pass in the penalty area from midfielder Kara Shue.

Just a few minutes later, Magic defender Reny Viviana Roncancio Farfan scored a corner kick from forward Mami Yamguchi to even the game at 1-1. As the final seconds of stoppage time elapsed, Rochester was awarded a penalty kick to win the game. However, goalkeeper Sierra Bonham came through for the Magic with a brilliant save, ending the game in a draw.

New England Mutiny 3 – 2 Lancaster Inferno

The New England Mutiny took on the Lancaster Inferno in a heated rivalry game. In the third minute, midfielder Riley Houle set up team captain Kate Howarth for a one-on-one opportunity against Inferno goalkeeper Kelly O’Brien. Howarth put her shot in the back of the net giving New England a 1-0 lead. Lancaster would soon tie up the game on a 40-yard chip shot from Haley Crawford.

In the 28^th minute, Howarth scored her second goal of the game with a powerful shot inside the far post. In the 34^th minute, forward Abby Sotomayor assisted Houle on a third goal for New England. In the 75^th minute, Lancaster midfielder Traci Mohl scored giving the Inferno new life. After a hard fought match, New England defeated Lancaster 3-2.

Long Island Rough Riders 3 – 0 New Jersey Copa FC

The Long Island Rough Riders squared off against New Jersey Copa FC in a tri-state area battle. The first half was filled with missed opportunities for both squads, but the Rough Riders finally took the lead on a 36^th minute goal from Morgan Santoro.

In the 65^th minute, Santoro scored again after faking out a defender and placing the ball into the corner of the goal. In the 78^th minute, midfielder Taylor Elliott scored from a distance to give the Rough Riders a 3-0 lead. That score would hold as the Rough Riders easily defeated New Jersey Copa FC.

Western New York Flash 2 – 2 New York Surf

After losing last weekend, the Western New York Flash looked to even the score against New York Surf. The Surf took the lead in the 43^rd minute after midfielder Flo Gamby scored on a curving free kick from Meagen Doyle. In the 57^th minute, midfielder Furtuna Velaj put the Surf up 2-0.

Flash forward Maddie Pezzino found fellow forward Carissima Cutrona for a 61^st minute goal, giving the Flash a much-needed quick response. After missed chances on both sides, Pezzino put away a riveting 87^th-minute equalizer to save a draw for the Flash.

Midwest Conference Results:

Toledo Villa FC 2-2 Michigan Legends FC, Detroit Sun FC 2-1 Grand Rapids FC Women

UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) featuring college players, aspiring & former professionals, and international stars.

Toledo Villa FC battled Michigan Legends FC this past Sunday at Northview High School in Sylvania, Ohio. MLFC struck first in the 6^th minute with a collaborative goal from forwards Kristelle Yewah and Tori Singstock. In the 24^th minute, midfielder Skylar Fleak equalized the game after receiving a pass from Veronica Zaciek and scoring an open net goal. The score at halftime was 1-1.

In the 51^st minute, Fleak scored again off a corner kick from Zaciek giving Toledo a 2-1 lead.  In the 80^th minute, MLFC received a penalty kick, which was initially blocked, but subsequently scored by defender Megan Trapp. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Meanwhile in Pontiac, Michigan, Detroit Sun FC took on Grand Rapids FC Women at Ultimate Soccer Arenas. The first half was filled with excitement as both teams put intense pressure on the opposing defenses. In the 42^nd minute, midfielder Lauren Bos assisted Madison Schupbach on a breakaway goal to gain a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

In the 49^th minute, Schupbach placed a beautiful shot from 23 yards out into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead. In the 79^th minute, GRFC earned a penalty kick, which was scored by midfielder Avery Lockwood. Fueled by goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem’s five saves, Sun was able to hold off GRFC for the 2-1 victory.