FRIDAY, MAY 18

Colorado Pride vs. So Cal Crush FC
7:00 PM MDT - Mountain Lion Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)

The Colorado Pride mark their return to United Women's Soccer (UWS) action with their home opener against a team that joined the national pro-am women's soccer league during their one-year hiatus: So Cal Crush FC. The So Cal Crush joined UWS before the 2017 season and in their first-ever road game took part in one of last season's biggest upsets. The Real Salt Lake Women kicked off the Summer 2017 season in the UWS West on the front foot but it was the visitors who had their scoring boots on as the Crush made the most of their scoring opportunities in a 2-0 win. Goalkeeper Adriana Maldonado made three key saves to maintain the shutout.

So Cal scored goals in the 38th and 82nd minutes to capture their first (and only) win for their new franchise. They would go scoreless over the next four games but rallied late in the season for positive results. New Head Coach Kurtis Millan has joined the Crush coaching staff for 2018 and is looking to take the team to the next level of success, bringing a presence to the training pitch. He will have newcomer Northern Ireland international Lauren Wade to lean on while defender Tatiana Zuvic (led the team in minutes played in 2017) and Maldonado (2017 All-UWS selection) return to enforce the backline. Both starred for Cal State Los Angeles last fall and earned All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honors.

AJ Adcock will lead the Colorado Pride on their return to UWS West action and he'll have a solid roster to count on in the first of two home games to open the campaign. Midfielder Eliza Bona provides experience as she wrapped up her playing career at Central Michigan University in Fall 2016 as one of the most decorated players in program history. Bona was the first CMU women's soccer player to earn NSCAA First Team All-Region honors and be named an All-American nominee. Goalkeeper Kaylyn Smith returns for the Pride in goal, as she played in five games (249 minutes) during the 2016 UWS season, allowing five goals. Venezuelan youth international Veronica Herrera and midfielder Becca Rasmussen (20th overall pick in 2018 NWSL Draft) have also signed on for 2018.

Real Salt Lake Women vs. Santa Clarita Blue Heat
7:00 PM MDT - RSL Academy (Herriman, UT)

The Santa Clarita Blue Heat travels to face Real Salt Lake Women inside the confines of the RSL Academy facility in Herriman, UT for another edition of their tightly-battled UWS West rivalry. Santa Clarita was victorious in both contests last season, but only by 1-0 margins. On Sunday, June 4th in front of a record home crowd of 800+ fans at The Master's University, the Blue Heat got their lone goal from veteran Kodi Lavrusky in the 56th minute while goalkeeper Jojo McCaskill notched the shutout in goal (three saves). Twenty days later, Santa Clarita ended the playoff hopes for the RSL Women when UWS Player of the Year Deyna Castellanos converted in the 62nd minute and McCaskill stopped a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.

McCaskill - the 2017 Big West Co-Goalkeeper of the Year & All-Big West First Team selection in her senior season - returns to the Blue Heat this season and the team will have even more veteran presence in the defense. Central defenders Kelsey Gudgeon and Lauren Sesselmann have been named team captains for the 2018 season. Combined with McCaskill, the trio led a backline that only allowed five goals scored during the regular season in 2017. 2016 All-UWS selection Kasandra Massey returns to lead the forward line alongside UCLA's Julia Hernandez. There are a host of newcomers but having the return of UCLA duo Viviana Villacorta and Chloe Castaneda will provide experience in the midfield.

SUNDAY, MAY 20

Colorado Pride vs. Real Salt Lake Women
1:00 PM MDT - Mountain Lion Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)

Colorado and Real Salt Lake renew acquaintances on Sunday afternoon, this time at Mountain Lion Stadium on the campus of UC-Colorado Springs. Two seasons ago on June 17th at Colorado College, both teams battled in one of the more exciting games of the 2016 UWS West season. Both teams came back from a one-goal deficit to tie the game but it was the RSL Women who scored last in the 3-2 win. The Pride got on the scoreboard first on Lexi Long's header in the 43rd minute but current Chicago Red Stars midfielder Michele Vasconcelos tied the match in first half injury time. Real Salt Lake's Jess Vanderveur hit a beautiful shot past Pride keeper Kaylyn Smith (four saves) in the 61st minute for the 2-1 lead.

Three minutes later, Colorado's Bri Rohmer curled a long-range shot past RSL keeper Rebecca Ritchie (nine saves) on an assist from current Sky Blue FC star Michaela Abam. Natalie Norris scored the game-winner for RSL in the 82nd minute. Norris is a two-time All-UWS selection in defense for Real Salt Lake and she'll be returning to the team again this season, while also training with the Utah Royals FC - the newest team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Veteran Colette Smith (who has also been training with the Royals) will be joined in the midfield this season by Utah State's Amber Marshall. The Syracuse, UT-native started in all 18 matches for the Aggies last fall.

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.