EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - The regular season in the West Conference of United Women’s Soccer (UWS) ended with a spirited flourish this past weekend, with three teams in the running for the West title but only one emerging with the crown: the Santa Clarita Blue Heat (4-1-3). With their arduous two-game road trip to southern California and Texas, the Colorado Pride (2-4-2) relished their role as spoiler and did just that on Sunday night, denying the Houston Aces (4-3-1) on their title bid.

For their respective efforts in last Friday’s victory over the Pride, Santa Clarita duo Julia Hernandez and Kasandra Massey have been named the UWS West Co-Offensive Players of the Week. Logging all 180 minutes as a defender in both Pride matches over the weekend while also helping to lead the team’s offense, Mykiaa Minniss has been selected as the UWS West Defensive Player of the Week.

On Friday vs. the Pride, the Blue Heat flew out of the gates and took the lead thanks to Hernandez scoring the first goal in the 22nd minute. She would also net the game-winner in the 68th minute. Massey was the one who assisted on the winning goal, as her picture perfect cross set up the UCLA forward’s header. The Santa Clarita veteran would than go on to tally the insurance goal in the 86th minute. The two offensive stars now lead the team in scoring, with Massey’s 13 points (five goals, three assists) on top with Hernandez (five goals, one assist) right behind.

Minniss - a Colorado High School All-State star and product of the Pride Predators Club program - delivered both goals for Colorado against the Blue Heat on Friday, coming off her back line on a set play and then taking advantage of space on a transition to score the team’s second goal. On Sunday in Houston, she started the match at her usual outside back role and finished at center back, making key tackles to keep the match close before her teammates scored the equalizer.

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.