Barbaric, Rada & Mosallaei earn Player of the Week honors

Metuchen, NJ — The action and excitement in the UWS ramped up for Week Two as 20 Teams took to the field, many for the first time in the 2023 season. 

Darya Mosallaei’s stellar performance in goal for FC Arizona, where she totaled 11 saves, earned her the first Goalkeeper of the Year honor for the 2023 season.

The Defensive Player of the Week title goes to Sonia Rada from Coppermine United. Rada showcased her versatility, making impactful contributions both in defense and attack during her team’s 3-1 victory. 

Marcy Barbaric of FC Buffalo secured Offensive Player of the Week honors by delivering three impressive goals to lead her team to an emphatic 6-0 triumph. 

Goalkeeper of the Week – Darya Mosallaei (FC Arizona)

Defensive Player of the Week – Sonia Rada (Coppermine United)

Offensive Player of the Week – Marcy Barberic (FC Buffalo) 

Team of the Week

GK – Darya Mosallaei demonstrated her exceptional shot-stopping skills, making a staggering 11 saves in FC Arizona’s season-opening win against the Reno Vikings. 

D – Sonia Rada contributed at both ends of the field in Coppermine’s 3-1 victory over Lancaster Inferno displaying her composure on the ball, leadership from the backline, and ability to join the attack securing the third and final goal for her team. 

D – Amanda Clark led Edgewater Castle with a commanding performance at center back notching the assist for the Rook’s game-tying goal with a well-placed freekick into the box in the side’s 2-2 draw with the Cincinnati Sirens. 

D – Meghan Cunningham returned for her 15th season with the New England Mutiny, her calm and composed presence was instrumental in navigating an intense 1-1 match against Maine Footy.

M – Ella Janz was a dominating force in the midfield for the Michigan Jaguars winning almost all her 50/50 duels as well as scoring a goal in the side’s convincing 5-0 triumph over Futsal Factory. 

M – Katelyn Krohn was crucial for Albany Rush delivering two goals and one assist in the team’s convincing 3-0 win against CT Rush.

F – Marcy Barberic was a standout player in FC Buffalo’s dominant six-goal defeat of Flower City Union securing her first hat trick of the season.

F – Carissima Cutrona (the 2022 UWS MVP) continues where she left off last season with a stellar performance contributing one goal and one assist in Buffalo’s 6-0 win. 

F – Olivia Thomas was a force to be reckoned with securing her first hat trick of the season as well as notching an assist in the Michigan Hawks’ 7-1 victory over Livonia City FC. 

F – Rebekah Valdez emerged as a formidable attacking threat, scoring a brace in FC Arizona’s season opener against the Reno Vikings, ensuring her team took home three points.

F – Morgan White played a key role in the Cincinnati Siren’s attack against Edgewater Castle constantly using her speed and agility to create goal-scoring opportunities and tallied a goal for her side in the intense 2-2 thriller. 

Week 2 Goal of the Week

The 10 games of Week Two brought a total of 43 goals and a wide variety of epic saves. As a result, both Goal of the Week and Save of the Week polls can be found on the official UWS Twitter page (@UWSSoccer) and the winner will be announced on Saturday morning during the UWS Kickoff Show co-hosted by Jonathan Ward and Megan Warner.

Week 2 Goal of the Week Nominations

1. Hayley Moten (Coppermine United)
2. Taylor Hamlett (Steel City FC)
3. Morgan White (Cincinnati Sirens)
4. Madison T Michaud (Maine Footy)

Week 2 Save of the Week Nominations

 

1. Makenna Yaracs (Steel City FC)
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2. Naya Lipkens (NE Mutiny)
3. Jordan LeVasseur (Futsal Factory)

 

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United Women’s Soccer (UWS) is a national pro-am league founded in December 2015 on the basis of providing equality, opportunity, and respect for the women’s game. UWS has proven to be an innovative league that has paved the way for the further advancement of women’s soccer. Eighty-plus teams based in the United States and Canada comprise two distinct levels of competition: UWS and UWS League Two (UWS2).

With over 38 NWSL draftees & 100 professional contracts to its name, UWS provides high-level competition for college players, aspiring & former professionals, and international stars. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship.