Roundup: UWS Week 6
Sixth week of United Women’s Soccer delivers thrilling action
Metuchen, NJ -- The sixth week of play in United Women’s Soccer saw perfect seasons falter and a new divisional leader emerge amid an array of remarkable performances across the country.
Central Conference
Great Lakes Division
Friday, June 17
Cap City Athletic 2, Muskegon Risers 0
A standout performance from Maddie O'Farrell carried Cap City Athletic to a 2-0 victory over Muskegon Risers to kick off the weekend of action in the Great Lakes Division. O’Farrell scored in the 12th minute to put the away side ahead early. Cap City Athletic leaned on a strong defensive showing to retain the lead until added time, when O’Farrell tallied again to secure the three points.
Sunday, June 19
Nationals FC 4, Michigan Jaguars 1
Nationals FC scored a trio of first-half goals as it secured a straightforward victory over Michigan Jaguars. Aria Jalics, Cecilia Steinwascher and Justina Gaynor all got off the mark in the first half to build a 3-0 lead for the away side. Zoe Greenhalge tallied to get Michigan Jaguars on the board in the 46th minute, but Maya Bellomo restored the three-goal advantage later on.
Heartland Division
Wednesday, June 15
Sporting Nebraska 1, FC Wichita 1
Sporting Nebraska began what would become an excellent week with a solid point against FC Wichita, who came into the week tied at the top of the division standings. Destiny Hoy capitalized on a defensive error to put FC Wichita on the board in the eighth minute of this contest, but Gabby Grimaldi responded with a finish from Maddie Radke’s through ball to claim a point for the home side.
Saturday, June 18
Gretna Elite 0, KC Courage 0
The defenses dominated Saturday's contest between Gretna Elite and KC Courage, which concluded in a 0-0 draw. Sydney Cassalia was outstanding for Gretna Elite on the day, making 10 vital saves. In the KC Courage net, Kaylin Williams came up with three saves to keep a clean sheet of her own.
Sporting Nebraska 2, Side FC 92 1
Sporting Nebraska overcame an early deficit to grab a key away victory over Side FC 92. Juliette Haro put the home side ahead in the sixth minute, but Lindsey Prokop’s delightful volley from the top of the box tied the game before halftime. Prokop wasn’t finished, converting Olivia Van Belle’s cross shortly after halftime to score what turned out to be the winning goal.
Arkansas Comets 1, Arkansas Wolves 1
Two first-half goals canceled each other out in this battle for bragging rights in the state of Arkansas. Emily Munguia’s finish from inside the box put Arkansas Wolves ahead early, but their lead was short-lived. Early Mallow found the back of the net from distance to restore parity in the 20th minute, and neither side could secure a decisive breakthrough from there.
Sunday, June 19
Sporting Nebraska 5, Arkansas Comets 1
Arkansas Comets started this one well, scoring by way of an own goal in the 13th minute, but Sporting Nebraska established firm control thereafter. Lindsey Prokop scored the first of three goals on the day in the 21st minute to tie the game, and Maddie Radke found the scoresheet eight minutes later to put Sporting Nebraska ahead for good. Sinai Bernal also factored into the scoring for the visitors, who pulled within three points of the top of the table with the win.
Midwest Division
Thursday, June 16
St. Louis Scott Gallagher 5, RBFC Elite 0
St. Louis Scott Gallagher turned in a solid performance to begin a busy week of soccer with three points against RBFC Elite. Erin Connelly finished the game with a hat trick and added an assist as well. Katie Houck and Izzy Patterson also scored for the victors.
Friday, June 17
Indiana Union 3, RBFC Elite 0
Sarah Foulk was involved from the very first minute for Indiana Union in this 3-0 victory, opening the scoring shortly after the whistle sounded. She scored again from Ellie Price’s cross shortly after halftime, then provided an assist for Indiana Union’s third goal of the day in a comprehensive victory over RBFC Elite.
St. Louis Scott Gallagher 20, Illinois Premier 0
St. Louis Scott Gallagher secured three key points with a dominating 20-0 victory over Illinois Premier. Aubrey Mister rose to the top of the UWS goalscorers table with a big day here, scoring or assisting on four goals by the 29th minute.
Saturday, June 18
Chicago Mustangs 1, St. Louis Scott Gallagher 1
This battle between the two clubs at the top of the Midwest Division was as tight as expected, with the two sides splitting the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Erin Connolly scored to give St. Louis Scott Gallagher the early lead, but Gabrielle McCaslin responded for Chicago Mustangs just before halftime to level things up for good.
Indiana Union 11, RBFC Elite 0
Indiana Union completed the weekend double over RBFC Elite with a blowout 11-0 victory on Saturday. Emma Antoine, Kelsi McLaughlin, Jenna Lang and Izzie Wallace each scored twice in the emphatic win for the home side.
East Conference
Mid-Atlantic Division
Wednesday, June 15
Paisley Athletic 2, NJ Copa FC 0
Paisley Athletic earned the club’s first victory at the top level of UWS, claiming a 2-0 win away against NJ Copa FC in midweek action. After a scoreless first half, Otandeka Laki gave the visitors the lead with a breakaway goal. Cassie Burke came off the bench in the 74th minute to provide a second goal that sealed the three points.
Friday, June 17
NJ Copa FC 2, Keystone FC 1
NJ Copa FC rebounded nicely from its midweek disappointment, coming from behind to beat Keystone FC, 2-1. Emily Mashinski put Keystone FC, in search of its first UWS win, ahead in the third minute thanks to Isabelle Martin’s through ball. But NJ Copa FC responded before the half with Sydney Cummings’s header off Camille Bowen’s corner. Shortly after halftime, Jeanine Nunez powered the winner into the bottom left corner off a feed from Dana Young.
Coppermine United 2, Paisley Athletic 1
Coppermine United continued its perfect start in UWS with a 2-1 road victory against Paisley Athletic. An own goal allowed Coppermine United to go ahead in the 25th minute. Paisley Athletic responded just over 10 minutes later, when Victoria Kealy converted a rebound opportunity. The second half belonged to Coppermine United, though. Substitute Bethany Harford’s drive from range found its way home to win the game for the away side.
Saturday, June 18
Lancaster Inferno 5, Keystone FC 1
This all-Pennsylvania battle ended with a Lancaster Inferno victory, allowing the home side to keep sole possession of first place in the division. Kayla Mesaros was influential all game long for Lancaster Inferno, scoring twice and contributing two more assists. Jackie Richards, Jessica Weinoldt and Gianna Yurchak also scored for the victors, while Halle Engle managed a second-half consolation goal for Keystone FC.
New England Division
Friday, June 17
Albany Rush 2, CT Rush 1
There was no shortage of dramatics in the New England Division’s opening contest this week, with Albany Rush scoring twice late to defeat CT Rush. Mary Lundergan’s tremendous goal from distance put CT Rush in front shortly after the halftime break, and it seemed as though that would be enough for three points. But Olivia Martuscello scored from a free kick to level things up in the 72nd minute, and Katelyn Krohn’s 80th-minute penalty won the game for Albany Rush.
Scorpions SC 3, NE Mutiny 1
Scorpions SC continued their great form into this weekend, ending NE Mutiny’s bid for a perfect season with a 3-1 win. Alexandria Giovino scored twice in the second half for the victors, and Emily DeNunzio, who also provided an assist, found the back of the net, too. Toni Domingos’ header from a corner proved to be the only marker for NE Mutiny on the day.
Saturday, June 18
CT Fusion 4, Worcester Smiles 0
CT Fusion grabbed a much-needed three points with a 4-0 win over Worcester Smiles away from home. Jenna Kalwa opened the scoring, heading home from a corner. Sam Halligan took over from there, adding a brace to put the outcome beyond doubt. Emma McMurray contributed a late goal to close out the scoring.
Sunday, June 19
Scorpions SC 2, Albany Rush 1
Two early markers were enough for Scorpions SC to hold off Albany Rush and move to the top of the division standings. Kira Maguire found herself in behind thanks to Avery Snead’s through ball in the fifth minute and made no mistake. Just over two minutes later, she converted Kate Bossert’s cross to double her side’s advantage. Corrine Jackson’s drive from outside the box in the 41st minute applied some pressure, but Albany Rush never found an equalizing goal.
Penn-NY Division
Saturday, June 18
FC Buffalo 1, FC Berlin 0
FC Buffalo earned a crucial 1-0 win over its local rival FC Berlin to remain at the top of the Penn-NY Division standings for another week. The clean sheet marked the fourth shutout in six games for the FC Buffalo back line, which has been superb all season. The lone goal of the contest came shortly after halftime, when Djeynaba Thiam fired home for the hosts.
Rochester Lancers 1, Pittsburgh Hotspurs 0
Rochester Lancers defended brilliantly to secure a hard-fought road victory -- their third win in their last four contests. Both sides refused to budge until the 74th minute, when substitute Taylor Ashe received a pass from Hannah Knych and slotted it home for the only goal of the match.
Sunday, June 19
Erie Commodores 5, FC Berlin 0
Erie Commodores turned in an impressive performance in securing a 5-0 win away from home over FC Berlin. Kylee Cross made her impact felt, scoring twice and assisting once in the game despite coming off the bench. Brooklyn Respecki posted a goal and an assist in this one as well, while Imogen Lancaster and Jillian Ball also scored for Erie Commodores.
South Conference
Southeast Division
Saturday, June 18
Atlanta Panthers 2, Atlanta Fire 1
Atlanta Panthers landed the first blow in this newly formed rivalry of Atlanta-based UWS clubs. Megan Welch and substitute Riley Friesen found the scoresheet for the victors, while Taylor Clark hit the back of the net for Atlanta Fire.
Sunday, June 19
Southwest Division
Friday, June 17
SA Athenians 3, SA Runners 0
SA Athenians claimed victory in the second installment of this all-San Antionio battle. Jillian Martinez began the scoring in the 30th minute to put the road side in front. Sierra Wannamaker followed just before the end of the first half to double the advantage, and Jade Piper rounded things out with a goal of her own in the second half.
WilCo FC 1, Luxoria FC 0
One week after a lopsided loss to Luxoria FC, WilCo FC rebounded nicely to take some revenge. Depending on a solid defense, the home side needed only one goal to claim the three points, and it came in the 63rd minute. Carlyn Pressley received a pass from Tatiana Jerman at the top of the penalty area and fired it home for the only goal of the contest.
Saturday, June 18
Luxoria FC 7, CTX Hornets 0
Luxoria FC got right back in the win column on Saturday with a rout of CTX Hornets. Kennedy Kessler’s remarkable day led the way for Luxoria, as she scored twice and posted three assists to account for five of her side’s seven goals. Emily Heldman also secured a brace, while Emily Jorgens, Belicia Mendiola and Mikayla Uyokpeyi also fired home.
Sunday, June 19
FC Austin Elite 3, WilCo FC 1
Needing a result to keep hold of the top spot in the division following SA Athenians’ win, FC Austin Elite fell behind early but unleashed a dominating second half on its way to a win. Kaitlynn Melton scored to hand WilCo FC the lead heading into halftime, but the momentum changed quickly. Junique Rodriguez equalized in the 54th minute. Laisa Andrioli registered the go-ahead goal 13 minutes later, and Ryann Hierholzer wrapped things up by providing some 85th-minute insurance.
West Conference
Saturday, June 18
SC Blue Heat 4, FC Arizona 2
SC Blue Heat rebounded from its first defeat of the season to top FC Arizona in an entertaining contest. Zoe Burns nudged SC Blue Heat in front with a finish from a cross early, but FC Arizona answered by way of Shaelyn McCarty’s tally. The two sides traded goals again before halftime, with Iris Rabot and Katrina Wetherall both scoring from distance. SC Blue Heat established control in the second half, though. Angeles Escobar registered the go-ahead goal, and Gisele Thompson, who also had two assists on the day, closed out the scoring.
Sunday, June 19
FC Arizona 3, Los Angeles SC 2
FC Arizona returned to winning ways on Sunday, taking down Los Angeles SC in another high-scoring affair. Mollie Baker and Shaelyn McCarty built a 2-0 lead for FC Arizona inside the 20-minute mark, before Makenna Dominguez pulled one back for Los Angeles SC before halftime. Baker’s second goal of the day in the 50th minute gave FC Arizona what turned out to be some vital insurance, as Ashley Aranda’s 77th minute goal for Los Angeles SC made for a nervy final few minutes.
