Metuchen, NJ — Many teams concluded their regular season during week nine, with a few matchups scheduled for the early part of week ten. Consequently, week nine featured highly competitive games, with two teams even punching a ticket to the 2023 UWS National Championship.

Although BC United narrowly missed securing a playoff position in the fiercely competitive East division, Ryien Carrol’s impressive performance ensured her team stayed on the right side of a close game and earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors for week nine. Carrol’s agility and quick reactions shone through as she totaled a staggering 11 saves ensuring her team finished the season on a strong note with a 2-1 victory over Keystone FC.

Ryelle Shuey’s exceptional performance at center back ensured that Lancaster Inferno retained the title of Defensive Player of the Week for the third consecutive week as well as secured fourth place in the East division standings. Shuey dominated from the back preventing Keystone from finding gaps in the backline and won all of her aerial duels. Shuey also found the back of the net for Inferno’s first goal of the match.

The East division completes the trio of awards as Kale’a Perry of Coppermine United claimed Offensive Player of the Week. Perry has consistently posed a threat in the attack throughout the season, and she concluded the regular season with an outstanding performance. Her clinical finishing ability resulted in a hat trick, while her creativity created numerous scoring opportunities for her teammates, leading to two assists in a resounding 10-0 victory.

Goalkeeper of the Week – Ryien Carrol (BC United)

Defensive Player of the Week – Ryelle Shuey (Lancaster Inferno)

Offensive Player of the Week – Kale’a Perry (Coppermine United)

Team of the Week 

GK – Ryien Carrol showcased exceptional goalkeeping skills, making 11 crucial saves for BC United in an intense 2-1 victory over Keystone United. 

D – Ryelle Shuey delivered a standout performance to ensure Lancaster Inferno finished the season with a 3-1 win. Shuey’s commanding presence in the Inferno backline prevented the Keystone attack from exploiting any gaps while also making a significant impact on the offensive front, scoring one goal.

D – Marcela Robinson played a composed role at the back, helping Coppermine earn their fourth clean sheet of the season. Robinson demonstrated excellent vision on the ball, playing forward passes, and provided an assist with a perfectly threaded pass.

M – Payton Robertson played a pivotal role for FC Buffalo against Steel City, ensuring her team’s perfect regular-season record. Robertson’s strength in both defense and offense made her a formidable force in tackles and ensured her goal-scoring efforts found the back of the net.

M – Valerie Vargas made a remarkable debut for SC Blue Heat against FC Arizona, in a must-win match that saw the side secure their place in the 2023 UWS National Championship. Vargas scored the opening goal in the first minute and continued to excel throughout the game, netting a hat trick and providing an assist in the side’s eight-goal thriller.

M – Kennedy (Kenny) Kessler* stepped up for Luxoria in a crucial game that kept their final four dreams alive. Kessler led from the front, finding pockets of space and using her creativity to score three goals in a 3-1 victory against the San Antonio Athenians. 

M – Amanda Buechel demonstrated top-class work ethic during Edgewater Castle’s game against RBFC. Buechel created many opportunities for herself and her teammates, scoring a brace in her side’s 7-1 victory. 

F – Kale’a Perry showcased her well-rounded ability to both score and create for Coppermine with a fantastic performance against New Jersey Copa FC. Perry played a role in half of her team’s goals, scoring a hat trick and providing two assists in a commanding 10-0 win.

F – Hayley Moten was a key player during Coppermine’s 10-goal victory. Moten’s tactical awareness and speed allowed her to make great runs throughout the game, resulting in two goals and an assist. 

F – Katelyn (Katie) Krohn* stepped up for Albany Rush in a must-win game, scoring two goals and providing an assist in her side’s 6-3 win over Sporting CT.

F – Brooke Pickett rose to the challenge for Albany Rush, contributing two assists and a goal in her team’s 6-3 victory against Sporting CT, securing a playoff spot for her team.

*Asterisks indicate multiple appearances in Team of the Week this season.

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.

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