EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - Its going to be “Super Saturday” in the East Conference of United Women’s Soccer (UWS) this weekend, as all three matches will occur within hours of each other. Two of the three immediately jump up for attention in regards to the conference title race, as the Lancaster Inferno (2-1) host East leaders New Jersey Copa F.C. (3-1-1) while the Long Island Rough Riders (1-1-1) travel north to face the New England Mutiny (2-1). In the other match, the New York Magic (0-2) and TSF Academy Valkyries (0-2) look for their first win of the 2016 season.
SATURDAY, JUNE 11
New York Magic vs. TSF Academy Valkyries (4:00 PM EST)
Venue: Mazzella Field
Iona College
715 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801
In a battle of former W-League teams, New York will host TSF Academy at Iona College’s Mazzella Field on Saturday with each team looking to capture all three points. To say it has been a harsh introduction to life in their new national pro-am women’s soccer league is to put it mildly. In their most recent defeats, both teams felt the wrath of the New Jersey Copa F.C. offense.
Out-shot by big margins while not scoring any goals of their own in losses to Copa, the offensive attack for both teams will hopefully get a boost of confidence in this match. In fact, its the visiting Valkyries who have moved above the Magic in the East standings due to the goal they scored vs. NJCFC in their home opener on May 21st. TSF can thank defender Alanna O’Neill for that, as she temporarily tied the match before three unanswered goals ensured Copa’s 4-1 road victory.
New York almost notched their first goal of the season in their last match against NJCFC on May 30th, as forward Sara Sanau-Ruiz’s shot glanced off the crossbar in the 76th minute. Other than that, they were simply out-matched as Copa out-shot them by a 14-1 margin. Yet, their defense can rely on goalkeeper Samantha Depken, as she has been their most consistent performer, making 19 saves in total in defeats to New England and New Jersey.
Lancaster Inferno vs. New Jersey Copa F.C. (6:00 PM EST)
Venue: Pucillo Field
Millersville University
1 North George Street
Millersville, PA 17551
As they face off in the first game of a home-and-home series over the next two weekends this Saturday, the matches between Lancaster and New Jersey should be indicators to the rest of the UWS East of what they can expect the rest of the season. Will the Inferno build off an impressive showing last weekend in road wins over New England & Long Island and make a run for the conference title? Against an experienced and talented side, does the first-year Copa team have what it takes to take the next step up in competition?
Wins in the next two games for either side will most certainly give them an advantage in the conference race and automatic berth into the UWS National Championship held the weekend of July 30-31. Copa has played the most games of any UWS team up to this point. So, a road victory this Saturday and another win the following weekend at home over Lancaster will put the Inferno with three losses and behind the proverbial eight-ball. With league-leading scorer Krystyna Freda (five goals) orchestrating the league-leading NJCFC offense (12 goals), they will look to do just that against a East contender.
That’s easier said than done, especially against an organized and well-coached side like the Inferno. They have experience in the right areas as UWS East Defensive Player of the Week and Costa Rican international Carol Sanchez can chip in on offense, with Guatemalan international Coralia Monterroso and former France U-20 defender Alexandra Plaintive as her side kicks in Head Coach Francisco Cleaves’ system. Add the experience of Lancaster veteran and Offensive Player of the Week selection Teresa Rynier in the midfield and Copa will have all they can handle.
New England Mutiny vs. Long Island Rough Riders (7:00 PM EST)
Venue: East Longmeadow High School
180 Maple Street
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Two long-time women’s soccer organizations in the New England and Long Island will renew their rivalry this Saturday as it will be 15 years since the last time they faced one another in league competition. On August 11, 2001, the two teams competed in the East Conference Semifinals of the now-defunct W-1 League with Long Island emerging victorious at Michael J. Tully Park in Hempstead, NY by a 2-1 score in double overtime. In fact, the Rough Riders beat the Mutiny (at that time known as the Springfield Sirens) in all three matches that season.
New England will look for long-sought revenge while also getting back to winning ways after last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Lancaster. The Mutiny held the overall run of play but the disciplined Inferno side kept New England’s offense at bay. It was the first time this season the Mutiny were held scoreless, as they tallied six goals in their first two wins over New York and Lancaster. The talent to get back on the score board is there, its just a matter if the likes of captain Kate Howarth, former Boston Breaker Riley Houle and up-and-comer Abby Sotomayor can get opportunities on goal.
Long Island knows how it feels to be frustrated by the Inferno, as their offense was stifled as well in a similar 1-0 loss at home to Lancaster last Sunday. In the first half, the Rough Riders were the more dominant side but only put one of five shots on target and were called for seven offsides (10 in the entire match). Look for leading scorer Christina Bellero (three goals) to lead the Long Island offense as her athleticism can worry any defense. Their defense has been strong as well, allowing only two goals in their first three matches.
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.
UWS is managed by EDP, a leading soccer management company that runs a number of leagues and tournaments. In addition to UWS, EDP operates youth leagues that includes an NPL league, the EDP Super Club program, the EDP Premier League and the EDP Championship League. EDP also runs EDP Futures programs for U-7’s to U-12’s and it conducts more than 20 youth tournaments, including tournaments within its EDP Cup Series and EDP Showcase Series.
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 by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.
Tag(s): News | New Jersey Copa FC New England Mutiny LI Rough Riders New York Magic TSF Academy Lancaster Inferno