FRIDAY, MAY 18

COLORADO PRIDE 2, SO CAL CRUSH FC 2

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Colorado Pride's return to UWS was spoiled by a late goal from So Cal Crush forward Taylor Scott in the 2-2 draw. The Pride had the run of play in the first half, outshooting the visitors (7-1) while having two goals negated on offside calls. The first Pride goal of the season came in the 56th minute when two products of the Pride youth program connected: Taryn LaBree lofted a cross from the right flank ahead of Alessa Muir. It was a race to the ball at the top of the penalty area with Crush netminder Kearra Bastes-Jones (seven saves) and Muir got a foot on the ball and flicked it toward the empty net as the players collided for the 1-0 lead. Eight minutes later, Colorado took a 2-0 advantage when LaBree put away a short blast into an open net after a perfect cross from Eliza Bona. In the 68th minute, Karina Cisneros cleaned up a corner kick in traffic off of Leila Gray's service to half the lead. In the 82nd minute, Eva Dixon came upfield on a 2-on-1 and blasted a shot from 20 yards out that Pride keeper Kaylyn Smith (five saves) dove to make a beautiful save. But the rebound sat up for the oncoming Scott who drilled it into the net for the equalizer.

REAL SALT LAKE WOMEN 0, SANTA CLARITA BLUE HEAT 0

HERRIMAN, UT - RSL Women opened the 2018 UWS season with a rivalry match against Santa Clarita Blue Heat. A crowd of around 80 supporters including a Utah Royals FC (NWSL) players gathered inside the recently-opened Zions Bank Real Academy state-of-the-art indoor field. The hosts controlled the match early on, holding possession for much of the first half, and generated a couple good shots on goal including a blast from forward Colette Smith from 30 yards that rattled the crossbar. The visitors also took their share of long shots that RSL Women goalkeeper Carly Nelson (three saves) was able to contain. Play opened up a bit more in the second half, with Santa Clarita able to find control of the ball more often, and making several dangerous runs on the RSL goal. Ultimately, despite a lot of quality play from both sides, the score remained locked at 0-0 with both defenses and keepers holding solid for the night. Blue Heat net minder Lauren Brzykcy made two saves for the visitors.

SUNDAY, MAY 20

COLORADO PRIDE 2, REAL SALT LAKE WOMEN 3

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - On Military Appreciation Day at Mountain Lion Stadium, things looked promising early for the Colorado Pride as they jumped on top in the 11th minute. Pride newcomer and Venezuelan youth international Veronica Herrara netted a header off of Beth Plentl's corner kick. Real applied high pressure early and it paid off just six minutes later as Hailey Skolmoski evened the score on a pass from Grace Johnson. The team honored Purple Heart recipient & 2014 US Soccer Disabled Player of the Year and US Army Staff Sargent Gavin Sibayan during halftime ceremonies. The Pride had seemingly figured out how to counter the Real pressure in the second half, but Skolmoski gained the edge for the visitors as she entered the penalty area and scored her second of the match midway through the frame. Real went up 3-1 in the 76th minute when Colette Smith split two Pride defenders and put it past UCCS goalkeeper Kaylyn Smith (six saves). The Pride immediately responded, drawing back within one goal just a minute later when UCCS senior Maddie Tominello found an open Eliza Bona streaking down the right side. The combo of Winona Frishette and Carly Nelson made two saves for RSL in the win.

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.