METUCHEN, NJ - The midway point of the 2019 United Women's Soccer (UWS) season has passed and the speed of play has picked up in all four conferences of the national pro-am league. This past week, defense pulled the rope of success and allowed offense to reign supreme. Strong two-way play was the key to success.

The defending UWS East champion Lancaster Inferno have won five straight and are now back in the hunt for the conference crown. Veteran midfielder Teresa Rook has been the lynchpin for the Inferno this campaign and was a big contributor in two wins this past week. Long-time Santa Clarita Blue Heat defender Yadira Toraya has always contributed on both sides of the ball and led the way for her team in a dominant 4-0 victory. The 2016 UWS champions are back in the UWS West race.

For their efforts, Teresa Rook and Yadira Toraya have respectively been named the Offensive & Defensive Players of the Week! For the full list of our weekly honors, see below:

UWS TEAM OF THE WEEK (WEEK VII)

F Tori Sousa (Connecticut Fusion) ^ - two goals, two assists in win over Worcester

F Alex Lamontagne (Calgary Foothills WFC) * - GWG and "dominant throughout" in win at Colorado

F Millene Cabral (LA Galaxy OC) ^ - 2 goals incl. GWG, created numerous chances in Queen City win 

M/F Briana Woodall (San Antonio Athenians) ^ - GWG on free kick in 90th minute vs. El Paso

M Teresa Rook (Lancaster Inferno) ^ - GWG at Long Island; assist in home win vs. New Jersey

M Suzuho Yamasaki (AFC Ann Arbor) * - GWG vs. Detroit in 2019 home finale

M Tara McKeown (Santa Clarita Blue Heat) - 2 goals, assist incl. GWG in win over QCU

D Yadira Toraya (Santa Clarita Blue Heat) - 2 assists, goal in win over QCU

D Bethany Cyrtmus (FC Austin Elite) - scored goal, contributed to clean sheet in first 2019 win

D Kylee McIntosh (Connecticut Fusion) * - scored goal, defensive stalwart in shutout vs. Worcester

GK Victoria Norris (AFC Ann Arbor) - seven saves in shutout win over Detroit

HONORABLE MENTION

F Taylor Wingerden (Rochester Lancers) * - PK vs. Syracuse; goal & assist in win over Worcester

F Jayme Woodfill (FC Austin Elite) - 2 assists, goal in win over El Paso

M Yvonne Northover (Calgary Foothills WFC) - "covered every blade of grass" in win over Colorado

M Breukelen Woodard (New England Mutiny) - strong midfield play in 1-1 draw at Syracuse

M/D Genessee Daughetee (LA Galaxy OC) * - excellent in possession & shut down Queen City attack

GK Kylie Bolton (Queen City United) - stood tall in net in two losses, made 22 combined saves

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - M Teresa Rook (Lancaster Inferno)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - D Yadira Toraya (Santa Clarita Blue Heat)

* indicates second appearance on TOTW
^ indicates third appearance on TOTW