Metuchen, NJ – The playoff picture is starting to become a little clearer in each conference after the conclusion of Week V play in the 2018 UWS Season. Lansing United and the Rochester Lady Lancers each posted a two-win weekend to vault themselves up their respective conference standings. There were a pair of firsts as well in Week V with North Texas Image and ASA El Paso each netting their first win in UWS play and the Colorado Pride became the first team to take a point off Calgary Foothills Women’s FC this season.

Inferno Rush were searching for a revenge result against the Connecticut Fusion after falling to the Nutmeg State side in Week IV and received an inspired performance in goal from Kelly O’Brien, who posted a clean sheet with ten saves to be named the UWS Defensive Player of the Week. Lexi Pelafas scored both goals in Lansing United’s comeback victory over the Fort Wayne Gryphons and netted the opening goal in the teams’ home opening win over the Michigan Legends, giving her the UWS Offensive Player of the Week nod.

UWS TEAM OF THE WEEK (WEEK V)

GK Kelly O’Brien (Inferno Rush) – Posted a ten-save clean sheet over the East Conference leading Connecticut Fusion

D Kelsey Gudgeon (Santa Clarita Blue Heat) – Veteran defender continues her excellent play in the Blue Heat back line

D Sydney Cummings (New Jersey Copa FC) – Put in a strong shift at center back in a shutout victory over Worcester Smiles

D Ella Johnson (Real Salt Lake Women) – Ole Miss defender helped lead back line and scored in the win over Colorado Pride

M Yvonne Northover (Calgary Foothills Women’s FC) – Midfield leader for Calgary, helped team to a four-point weekend*

M Brooke Barbuto (Rochester Lady Lancers) – Posted a two goal, one-assist weekend to stay at the top of the UWS scoring charts*

M Nickolette Driesse (Santa Clarita Blue Heat) – Posted a dominant 90-minute shift against So Cal Crush FC

M Abby Allen (Detroit Sun FC) – Facilitated the Detroit offense with a pair of assists in a 4-0 win over Genesee

F Elin Eklund (Rochester Lady Lancers) – Scored both goals in a key road victory over Long Island Rough Riders*

F Desiree Morgas (ASA El Paso) – Netted a hat trick in a wild 5-4 victory over FC Austin

F Lexi Pelafas (Lansing United) – Posted a three-goal weekend, including a pair of goals in a come-from-behind win at Fort Wayne

HONORABLE MENTION 

GK Kaylyn Smith (Colorado Pride) – 12-save performance to help her team to a big road point at Calgary

GK Caitie Broderick (Rochester Lancers) – Guided her team to a road win at Long Island, stopping 11 shots

F Gisela Arietta (Houston Aces) – Had a multi-goal game in the victory over North Texas

F Mackenzie Scovill (North Texas Image) – Had a goal and an assist to help North Texas to their first victory in UWS play

M Amy Marron (New York Surf) – strong midfield play over a two-match weekend for the Surf

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Kelly O’Brien (Inferno Rush)

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Lexi Pelafas (Lansing United)

* - indicates second appearance on the UWS Team of the Week

About United Women's Soccer:

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 the UWS Communications office 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.