skip navigation

UWS Week III Preview: Midwest Conference

05/25/2017, 2:30pm EDT
By Admin

Fort Wayne United open their 2017 Midwest Conference campaign this weekend

METUCHEN, NJ - The opening slate of games in the newly-formed Midwest Conference of United Women’s Soccer (UWS) will come to a close this weekend, as the Fort Wayne United Gryphons are the final team in the conference to kick off their 2017 season. They will do it in style, hosting two home games this Memorial Day Weekend. Michigan Legends FC will host the second indoor game of the conference schedule - after Detroit’s home debut at Ultimate Soccer Arenas last weekend - as Indy Premier SC will travel north to the climate-controlled confines of the Legacy Center.

FRIDAY, MAY 26

Michigan Legends FC vs. Indy Premier SC
7:00 PM EDT - Legacy Center (Brighton, MI)

It has been a two-week layoff for Indy Premier SC (0-1 Midwest) - a 3-0 home loss to Toledo Villa FC (1-0-1 Midwest) - but Michigan Legends FC (0-1-1 Midwest) have steadily grown in stature since their own loss that same weekend. The GRFC Women (1-1 Midwest) hosted Michigan in both teams’ conference opener on Saturday, May 13th and held off a second-half rally by MLFC in the 3-1 victory for the home team. Michigan were on the road again last Sunday afternoon, but spoiled Toledo’s home opener with a late goal in a 2-2 draw.

Youngstown State University midfielder Maddie Hughes has been a revelation so far this season for MLFC Head Coach Saimir Rada, leading the team in goals scored (2). In the 49th minute of the loss to Grand Rapids, Hughes came off the bench and converted on midfielder Lindsey Carlson’s cross from the right flank to make it a 2-1 game. In the 6th minute of the 2-2 draw against Toledo, Hughes teamed up with forward Tori Singstock for the opening goal. Singstock sent a diagonal pass to Hughes who placed her shot high and inside the far post.

Indy Premier need to rebound after a disappointing home debut two weeks ago. With a short bench, Toledo got a huge 3-0 road victory over IPSC at Carroll Stadium on the campus of IUPUI. Villa midfielder Veronica Zaciek notched two first half goals to propel the visitors to victory. Indy Premier goalkeeper Claire Graves made four saves in the loss but it was the fact that IPSC was out-shot by a 9-2 margin that was of most concern.

SATURDAY, MAY 27

Fort Wayne United Gryphons vs. Grand Rapids FC Women
6:00 PM EDT - Warrior Athletic Field (Fort Wayne, IN)

The Fort Wayne United Gryphons kick off their Summer 2017 season this weekend with the first of four consecutive home games at Warrior Athletic Field on the campus of Indiana Institute of Technology. The Gryphons will be led by Juanma Pons Bascones this season, who played professional soccer in the Spanish Segunda Division and currently holds the highest national professional license in Spain. The Fort Wayne Head Coach has assembled a young, athletic but diverse roster with many connections to the United youth club.

The youth on the Gryphons this season is highlighted by a pair of players from Eastern Kentucky University: forward/defender Samantha Eastes and goalkeeper Lorah Pund. Eastes played in all 18 games of her freshman campaign last fall and Pund played club soccer for Fort Wayne United, with whom she went undefeated during the 2015 travel season and won the 2015 Indiana State Cup. But the team will also have experience to rely on, as three Murray State University alums have recently signed with the team: midfielder/forward Taylor Richerson, defender Taylor Stevens and midfielder Lyssie Wright.

The Gryphons face a stiff test in their season opener as the GRFC Women have proven to be a tough opponent in their first two conference games. On Saturday, May 13th at home, Grands Rapids were propelled by a brace from midfielder Anna Stinson and defeated Michigan Legends FC by a 3-1 score. But last Saturday in an early season matchup between two of the top Midwest teams, Detroit Sun FC (2-0 Midwest) scored first and held the lead in a 2-1 win over the visitors. GRFC cut the lead in half in the 79th minute when midfielder Avery Lockwood tucked home a penalty kick but could not get the road draw.

SUNDAY, MAY 28

Fort Wayne United Gryphons vs. Indy Premier SC
4:00 PM EDT - Warrior Athletic Field (Fort Wayne, IN)

Even though Sunday afternoon’s match between Fort Wayne United and Indy Premier will be the second of the weekend for both teams, the Gryphons have the tougher turnaround as far as time is concerned - even though they host this match. It will be less than 24 hours to recover from Saturday night’s match vs. Grand Rapids FC Women. Team depth will certainly a factor but familiarity as well which should work in Fort Wayne United’s favor as many players are club alumni.

This match vs. the Gryphons will be the second of five consecutive road games for Indy Premier SC. IPSC don’t return home to Park Tudor School until Sunday, June 18th when they host cross-town rivals FC Indiana (3:00 PM EDT) in an Indianapolis derby. Two positive results this weekend will go a long way to making their road trip feel like a drive to the corner store. Two more losses this weekend to drop their record to 0-3 could very well make this stretch of away games feel like the Odyssey.

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.

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, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.

Tag(s): News |   Fort Wayne Gryphons  Grand Rapids FC  Indiana Union  Michigan Legends