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Week IX Preview: UWS Southwest

07/06/2018, 11:45am EDT
By Admin

FCA, ASA and HAR all face double-match weekends in a battle for second

SATURDAY, JULY 7

FC Austin Elite vs. ASA El Paso

5:00 PM CDT – Elite Field (Round Rock, TX)

FC Austin Elite are looking to bounce back after dropping an 8-1 decision to Houston last week by kicking off a two-match weekend, first hosting ASA El Paso before ending their campaign by traveling to face HAR FC on Sunday. FC Austin Elite became the second team to break through the Aces defense as Christina Arteaga trimmed FCA’s deficit to 4-1 halfway through the second half last weekend but couldn’t hold their opponents back any further as they conceded four more goals in the final quarter hour. But all-in all, FCA have an opportunity to sew up second place in the Southwest with a good weekend and will want to continue to create chances for Arteaga against El Paso, a team she’s had success before earlier this year.

Speaking of that earlier match between the two teams, ASA El Paso came away with a wild 5-4 win over FC Austin Elite back on June 9 with Desiree Morgas leading the way with a hat trick. That has been the only victory ASA have notched so far this year but will hope to find a bit more success in the penultimate weekend of the season as they, like Austin, will turn around and play on Sunday. Last weekend against North Texas, they were forced to defend for long stretches and relied on their goalie, Meagan Smith, to come up with 13 saves. But they will look to the likes of Morgas to try to get them back on the right foot on this weekend’s road trip.

HAR FC vs. Houston Aces

7:00 PM CDT – Houston Sports Park (Houston, TX)

The Houston Aces continued their dominant ways in running through the Southwest Conference last weekend, picking up a pair of wins and outscoring their opponents 15-1. Now, with the conference title already sealed up with two weeks to go, expect a little tinkering with the Aces lineup as they look to find the right mixture before the UWS National Championship Weekend. Last weekend, they defeated HAR FC 7-0 and got goal production from a number of different players. Gisela Arrieta had a goal and an assist to lead the way with Melanie Barnes coming off the bench to net a brace, while UWS Team of the Week member Shauna Peare got in on the action with her first of the season. Expect more of the same this week as HAR FC, after getting off to a good start this season with a win over ASA El Paso, haven’t found their stride since then.

SUNDAY, JULY 8

HAR FC vs. FC Austin Elite

6:00 PM CDT – Houston Sports Park (Houston, TX)

With both teams playing on Saturday night, expect both teams to be a little weary when kickoff rolls around on Sunday evening. But there are still key points to be had in this match as both sides want to move up the table before the season ends so expect both to get after it from the opening whistle. HAR FC will want to try and reverse a 2-1 loss against FC Austin Elite from back on June 22, when Sabrina Munguia scored a second half tally to halve the deficit for her side. But ultimately the 16th minute tally from Arteaga and Carina Baltrip-Reyes scoring in the 51st minute was too much for HAR FC to handle in their first meeting. This is the last game of the season for FC Austin Elite so they will want to go out on a high note while HAR FC travel to ASA El Paso, the only side they’ve defeated this year all the way back on June 3rd, to finish their campaign next Saturday.

North Texas Image vs. ASA El Paso

6:00 PM CDT – Old Panther Stadium (Duncanville, TX)

These two teams will meet for the second time in two weeks as El Paso, after facing FC Austin Elite on Saturday night, will trek to North Texas for their rematch. Last week, the Image capitalized on striking right before and after halftime as Tiffany Obregon netted a 41st minute strike and Mackenzie Scovill made it 2-0 three minutes after the 2nd half restart to put ASA El Paso away. They, like FC Austin Elite, are fighting to finish in second place in the Southwest and will want to get the final part of their schedule off to a good start as they take on Houston in their final contest next week. Scovill has been the key striker for North Texas this season as every time she’s found a way to make her mark on each of her teams’ three wins. So expect the Image to follow suit and look to create her opportunities in front of goal.

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.

Tag(s): News |   Southwest  El Paso Surf  FC Austin Elite  Houston Aces  North Texas Image  HAR FC