CALGARY FOOTHILLS WOMEN’S FC 3, SO CAL CRUSH FC 0
CALGARY, AB - In their first two home games at the Calgary Soccer Centre, Calgary Foothills Women’s FC were close to winning but could not cross the finish line. A 1-0 loss to Santa Clarita and a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake left the CFWFC offense wondering if they would ever finish their scoring chances. In Sunday afternoon’s game against So Cal Crush FC (1-4 West), Calgary (2-2-1 West) at last found their touch in front of goal, as three different scorers led the hosts to a solid 3-0 win. Forward Joelle Gosselin netted her team-leading third goal of the season and the eventual game-winner in the victory while goalkeeper Sarah Dilling (three saves) got the shutout.
Gosselin came right out of the gates with her shooting boots on, firing a shot just over the crossbar in the seventh minute of play. The Université Laval star followed that up with another bid eight minutes later, but her shot from close range was stopped by Crush FC goalkeeper Mia Fernandez (15 saves). In the 18th minute, Gosselin emphatically put her stamp on the match. She collected a pass from midfielder Chelsie Oddan and fired a rocket inside the upper 90 from the top of the penalty area. The So Cal defense held firm until the 53rd minute, when CFWFC forward Jordan Smith doubled the lead off an assist from forward Nikki Furukawa. Midfielder Sarah Kinzner assisted on Arielle Roy-Petitclerc’s goal in the 61st minute for the final tally.
REAL SALT LAKE WOMEN 0, SANTA CLARITA BLUE HEAT 1
OREM, UT - On one of the hottest days in Utah this season, the Real Salt Lake Women (3-3-1 West) faced their biggest test of the 2017 campaign as they hosted the defending UWS champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat (5-0 West) on Saturday night at Clyde Field on the campus of Utah Valley University. The RSL Women needed a victory to stay in the West Conference race, but Santa Clarita forward Deyna Castellanos would convert a penalty kick in the 62nd minute while the Blue Heat defense held the hosts’ offense in check in the 1-0 road win. It was the fourth straight 1-0 decision to go in Santa Clarita’s favor, who now only need one win in their final three regular season games to capture the conference crown.
The heat showed in the way the match started. The Blue Heat had the better of the passing and possession to start, but the RSLW defense did a good job of keeping Castellanos in check. The tempo of the game picked up as the sun went down. Midway through the second half, Santa Clarita took advantage of a loose ball that rolled into the Real Salt Lake half that the defense didn't chase down. A switch of play saw Castellanos unmarked on the far post and her simple finish past RSLW goalkeeper Becca Ritchie (seven saves) gave the visitors the 1-0 lead. The RSL Women almost leveled the score in the 72nd minute when right back Hannah Bruce was tripped in the box for a penalty kick. Leading scorer Hailey Skolmoski fired her PK low and to the right, but Blue Heat goalkeeper JoJo McCaskill (one save) made the diving stop and the rebound was cleared away.
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.
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, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.