METUCHEN, NJ - The 2018 United Women's Soccer (UWS) season kicked off this past weekend with games in the East and Midwest Conferences. There was plenty of excitement to be had as Detroit Sun FC captured their first two wins of the season while the New England Mutiny came back from a 2-1 deficit in the second half to pull out a 3-2 win in the UWS season opening match. Detroit forward Madison Schupbach has been named the UWS Offensive Player of the Week for her two-goal, assist performance for the Sun over the weekend. New England goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx garners UWS Defensive Player of the Week honors for her 11-save performance in the victory over the Connecticut Fusion.

UWS TEAM OF THE WEEK (WEEK I)

F MADISON SCHUPBACH (Detroit Sun FC) - both goals in 2-0 victory on Sunday; five points overall
F FURTUNA VELAJ (New York Surf) - Albanian National Team member assisted on GWG v. Worcester
F AUBREY SCHIERBEEK (Lansing United) - scored first goal in team history in draw v. GRFC
M MEGHAN SCHNUR (New England Mutiny) - former USWNT member organized midfield for old club
M DANI EVANS (Detroit Sun FC) - goal & three assists for the Sun captain
M MEGAN TRAPP (Michigan Legends FC) - assist, controlled midfield play for improved Legends squad
M RACHEL MORRIER (Connecticut Fusion) - goal & created several dangerous opportunities v. Mutiny
D JACKIE FERACO (Worcester Smiles) - UNH product solidified backline for expansion Worcester
D JUSTINE LYNN (Detroit Sun FC) - defensive stalwart in two wins and scored goal
D MELISSA ROY (Grand Rapids FC) - Canadian youth international strong in the back for defending champions
GK LYSIANNE PROULX (New England Mutiny) - three marquee saves; 11 overall to allow NE comeback

HONORABLE MENTION

F TORI SOUSA (Connecticut Fusion) - active play on flank, scored first goal for expansion CT
D OLIVIA TROMBLEY (Lansing United) - controlled center of pitch for expansion Lansing
D ELENA SANTOS (New England Mutiny) - solidified Mutiny backline & scored game-winner
D MEGAN GURLITZ (Worcester Smiles) - strong in defense to limit potent Surf offense
GK JAMIE BLOCK (New York Surf) - preserved clean sheet with two under the bar saves

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Madison Schupbach (Detroit Sun FC)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Lysianne Proulx (New England Mutiny)

About United Women's Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women's soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer. 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 UWSPress@gmail.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.