METUCHEN, NJ - Now that all five teams have kicked off in the West Conference of United Women’s Soccer (UWS), business will pick up this weekend as the young stars of the Calgary Foothills Women’s FC side host a experienced Santa Clarita Blue Heat side in their 2017 home opener. Every match matters in the summer season format and nothing could be more close to the truth for the Real Salt Lake Women, who will need every result in their favor if they want to capture the conference crown. They will surpass the mid-point of their 2017 campaign when they host Houston this weekend.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

Calgary Foothills Women’s FC vs. Santa Clarita Blue Heat
6:00 PM MDT - Calgary Soccer Centre (Calgary, AB)

Saturday will be a big day for the Calgary soccer scene as not only do the Foothills Women’s FC side have their 2017 home opener at Calgary Soccer Centre, they host the defending UWS champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat. On top of that, fans will get to see the future of Canadian women’s soccer take on a former international who will be recognized for her efforts with the national team. Defender Lauren Sesselmann has started both games for the Blue Heat (2-0 West) this season and after Saturday’s game vs. Calgary, she will be honored alongside Josee Belanger, Jonelle Filigno, Robyn Gayle and Kaylyn Kyle at Sunday’s CWNT match in Toronto.

Sesselmann will take on Calgary and their three players with Canadian National Team experience in the youthful threesome of midfielder Mya Jones, midfielder Sarah Kinzner and defender Melissa Roy. All three players have seen time in the Canada Youth National Team setup at the U-15, U-17 and U-20 levels. Kinzner and Roy were part of the CFWFC side who were victorious last weekend in Houston, defeating the Aces by a 2-1 score. The visiting Canadian internationals were a goal better than the five Colombian internationals who are part of the Houston roster. Two goals from forward Joelle Gosselin got the first-ever victory for Calgary and they will now look to topple the defending UWS champions.

Last Sunday in a much anticipated rematch of the top two West Conference sides from the 2016 season, Santa Clarita won the rematch vs. Real Salt Lake by a tight 1-0 score. In front of a record home crowd of 800+ fans at The Master’s University, Blue Heat veteran Kodi Lavrusky notched the lone goal of the match in the 56th minute while goalkeeper Jojo McCaskill would get the shutout in goal (three saves). Florida State University star & Venezuelan international Deyna Castellanos put her stamp on the match in the second half, firing off a pair of quality scoring chances while assisting on Lavrusky’s game-winner.

Real Salt Lake Women vs. Houston Aces
7:00 PM MDT - Utah Valley Univ. (Orem, UT)

The season is not over for the Real Salt Lake Women (2-2 West) - not by any stretch of the imagination - but every result will matter to the team from this Saturday night on as they reach the mid-point of their conference campaign in this home match against the Houston Aces (0-1 West). On the other end of the spectrum, Houston just kicked off their 2017 season last weekend and have the remainder of the season to fight for the West title. However, the Aces took an early blow to their title hopes in their 2-1 home loss to Calgary Foothills Women’s FC.

Houston will look to replicate their 2016 road exploits against the RSL Women, as they dealt them a tough blow to start their home slate last year. In front of a record-breaking crowd at the Real Salt Lake home opener, the Houston defense bent but did not break in a 1-0 win. The Real Women created four quality scoring chances in the first twenty minutes but Houston goalkeeper Courtney Seelhorst (five saves) came up big. In the 71st minute, a well-placed cross by Aces defender Shauna Peare found the head of forward Paige Hayward and it would prove to be the game-winner.

With Seelhorst and UWS Team of the Week selection & Colombian international Stefany Castanos in goal, Real Salt Lake will need their offense to once again rise to the occasion. University of Utah star & U.S. U-23 international forward Hailey Skolmoski has provided it all on offense for the RSL Women this season, being selected to UWS Team of the Week on two occasions for her scoring exploits in wins over So Cal Crush FC and Calgary. Skolmoski either scored or helped create four of the five goals in last Saturday’s 5-0 win over SCCFC.

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.