EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - Its another action-packed weekend in the West Conference of United Women’s Soccer (UWS), as all five teams will take the pitch. After this weekend’s conclusion, it will be past the midway point in the UWS West race, and its a tight battle for the conference title & berth into the UWS National Championship held the weekend of July 30-31. Real Salt Lake Women (1-1-1) are on a two-game road trip to take on first-place Colorado Pride (2-1) and the Colorado Storm (1-2-1), and the Houston Aces (2-3) look to attain revenge on the road against the Santa Clarita Blue Heat (1-0-2).

FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Colorado Pride vs. Real Salt Lake Women (7:00 PM MST)
Venue: Washburn Field
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Last Sunday, the Pride had a chance to lay sole claim to the top spot in the UWS West, but after weathering numerous lightning delays, the home side came up dry against the Houston defense as the Aces scored the lone goal in their 1-0 road victory. Real Salt Lake had to deal with some inclement weather themselves in their home match vs. Santa Clarita last Saturday, taking advantage of a late penalty kick decision for the 1-1 draw. Only two points separate last-place and first-place, so two positive results for the Real Women this weekend on the road will do them a world of good.

In their three matches so far, they have not had a bad game so another strong showing could be a start of a run for the West title. RSL held the run of play but were out-done by a stingy Houston defense in their season-opening loss, while they were victorious over the Aces on June 4th and did well to get the point against a strong Blue Heat team. In this match, however, Real Salt Lake will unfortunately go up against a Pride side who must still be feeling the sting of their last defeat.

Colorado’s defense has been strong this season, allowing only two goals in three games. Yet, the same can’t be said for their attack, as the Pride have managed only three goals scored with one of them being a last-minute game-winner against the Storm on June 5th. Getting their offense on track against the Real Women will be a tough task, as their defense has allowed only three goals and are led by veterans Natalie Norris and West Defensive Player of the Week Rebecca Ritchie.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18
Santa Clarita Blue Heat vs. Houston Aces (6:00 PM PST)
Venue: The Master’s College
21726 Placerita Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91321

After Santa Clarita’s big win over Houston in the 2016 West opener on May 21st, much was expected out of the Blue Heat side in the West race this season. But since that victory, Santa Clarita’s offense has been frustrated in their last two games, only scoring two goals in draws at home against the Colorado Storm on June 2nd and on the road vs. Real Salt Lake on June 11th. They return home to The Master’s College for Saturday’s game and will hope to take the season series against the Aces.

That looks to be a tougher task now than after the season opener; especially since Houston has now shown signs of life after a solid victory over the Colorado Pride last Sunday. Its been a bit of inconsistent ride this season for the Aces, as they rebounded after their season-opening loss to the Blue Heat with a big 1-0 road win over Real Salt Lake on May 28th. The next week, RSL would drop the hammer on Houston in a 4-1 victory before another up (the win over the Pride) and down (the loss to the Storm) weekend.

The good signs for the Aces are that it looks like they perform better on the road while their Colombian international contingent are also starting to heat up. Tatiana Ariza scored the game-winner last Sunday and was named the West Co-Offensive Player of the Week while Isabella Echeverri Restrepo helped lead the late rally against the Storm on Friday. Saturday’s rematch between the two sides will most definitely be a test for both when it comes to who they are and what they will provide in the conference race the rest of the season.

SUNDAY, JUNE 19
Colorado Storm vs. Real Salt Lake Women (12:00 PM MST)
Venue: Sports Authority Field
11901 Newlin Gulch Blvd
Parker, CO 80134

Speaking of good signs and omens, Storm Head Coach Brian Haynes must be liking the way his team is growing into the season. After two close losses to in-state rivals in the Colorado Pride to start their 2016 campaign, the Storm got a deserved 1-1 draw at Santa Clarita and did even better in last Friday’s 2-1 win over Houston - their first victory. Olivia Blaber would be selected West Co-Offensive Player of the Week for her goal-assist performance in the win, which would also be the first individual honor for a Storm player this season.

It will be important for the Storm to start this match on the front foot, as Real Salt Lake will be playing less than 48 hours after their match vs. the Pride. And as they showed last Saturday against the Blue Heat, the longer you keep a talented & experienced side like the Real Women in a match, the more they benefit from their opponent’s lack of killer instinct. With veteran leadership in defense and a young & dynamic attack led by the BYU tandem of Elena Medeiros and Michele Vasconcelos, RSL will be a tough task: no matter what happens in their Friday match vs. the Pride.

With a win, the Storm can officially throw their wrench into the works of a side whose mission is to win the inaugural UWS Championship. And they can also toss their cap into the conference race. If the Real Women can conclude their two-game road trip to Colorado with two wins, they will most certainly be a favorite to win the West title. Interesting time of the year, indeed.

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.