EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - The first weekend of the 2016 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) season was a successful one for the Long Island Rough Riders and the New England Mutiny, with both sides earning 3-0 wins in East Conference action over New Jersey Copa F.C. and the New York Magic, respectively. The upcoming second weekend of the 2016 season will see a full slate of games with the UWS West Conference kicking off this Saturday, May 21 as the Houston Aces host the Santa Clarita Blue Heat at Houston Sports Park (7:00 PM kickoff).

To conclude the festivities of the league’s first weekend, we would like to announce the UWS East Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week. For her two-goal effort in the Inaugural Game of this new national pro-am women’s soccer league, Long Island’s forward Christina Bellero has been selected as the Offensive Player of the Week. Cailynn Harding was stout as a central defender for the New England Mutiny as she was in the middle of breaking up almost every single Magic attack on goal, and she gets the nod for Defensive Player of the Week.

Bellero netted the first-ever goal in UWS history on Saturday, scoring the eventual game-winner in the 16th minute of the match vs. NJCFC. The Saint John’s University forward broke in on goal on a 1 v. 1 and beat the Copa goalkeeper with a low shot inside the corner of the net. Christina would put the match out of reach in the second half, as her goal in the 68th minute guaranteed the win for the Rough Riders. Last fall, she was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week for Sept. 7 after scoring two goals for the Red Storm that included a game-winner over Boston College.

Harding was a resolute force in the central defense for New England in their win over New York. The former Central Connecticut State University defender helped break up nearly every attack the Magic had in Mutiny territory and connected her clearances with precision. Her teamwork with her fellow defenders forced the Magic to long-range shots that didn’t dent the net of Mutiny goalkeeper Anne-Marie Ulliac. Cailynn was a vital presence for the 2014 CCSU Blue Devils, as she started 20 games for the Northeast Conference champions.

Honorable Mention honors for each weekly award goes out to New England forward Kate Howarth and Long Island defender Allyson Baner. Howarth led the Mutiny scoresheet with two goals and was only pipped for the weekly honor by the historic nature of Bellero’s performance. Baner played as a center back for the Rough Riders and organized the defense to help to maintain the shutout over NJCFC. Yet, Harding was a tad bit more instrumental in her team’s overall defensive performance and was a one-woman force to be reckoned with.

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer 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. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

UWS is managed by EDP, a leading soccer management company that runs a number of leagues and tournaments. In addition to UWS, EDP operates youth leagues that includes the EDP NPL Super Club League, the EDP Premier League and the EDP Championship League. EDP also runs EDP Futures programs for U-7’s to U-12’s and it conducts more than 20 youth tournaments including those within its EDP Cup Series and EDP Showcase Series.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at Press@UWSSoccer.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.