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UWS West Conference

Regular Season 2016

Recent UWS West Conference News

Blue Heat Teams Up With TeamFirst

02/27/2017, 3:00pm EST
By Admin

Santa Clarita hosts camp by Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly & Tisha Venturini Hoch

SANTA CLARITA, CA - The defending 2016 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat will be hosting the TeamFirst Soccer Academy at The Master’s College on Saturday-Sunday, March 11-12. Blue Heat Owner and Technical Director Carlos Marroquin has hosted TFSA in the past and both organizations are hoping for another great turnout. TeamFirst is well-known for having a trio of U.S. Women’s National Team legends as their founders: Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini Hoch.

Hamm is one of the best women’s soccer players of all time with 158 goals & 144 assists and represented her country 275 times over a 17-year career. Lilly is the most decorated women’s soccer player of all-time with 352 caps: the most international appearances in the history of the sport for men or women. Venturini Hoch scored 44 goals, represented her country 132 times in her nine-year National Team career and played in the Olympic Games & two Women’s World Cups.

“We are excited to be back in Southern California and partner with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat,” said Hamm. “Congratulations to them for winning the UWS league title in 2016. We had a great camper turnout the last time we were in Santa Clarita and we hope for another great atmosphere in March!”

“Carlos has been a big supporter of women’s soccer and we love his passion to bring high level soccer opportunities to Southern California,” said Lilly. “He has been a great partner and we will look forward to a fun few days in Santa Clarita.”

The TeamFirst Soccer Academy seeks to provide young soccer players a first class opportunity to develop as an individual player within the context of playing a sport that requires a disciplined unit to perform unselfishly. It is their goal to encourage players to respect the integrity of the game while they continue to nurture their love for soccer.

The TeamFirst philosophy revolves around three key on-the-field characteristics: be a Personality; be a Playmaker; be a Factor. Personality creates a player that knows how to excel individually but still be a team player. Playmakers play unselfishly and create for themselves and their teammates. When you become a Factor on the field, you make a difference for yourself and for your team.

Every camper will receive a Nike Soccer Ball, Nike T-shirt, autographed player card and camp team photo. For more information on this Santa Clarita camp including registration, visit the official TFSA website by clicking HERE.

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). 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.

UWS is managed by EDP, a leading soccer management company that runs a number of leagues and tournaments. In addition to UWS, EDP operates youth leagues that includes an NPL league, the EDP Super Club program, the EDP Premier League and the EDP Championship League. EDP also runs EDP Futures programs for U-7’s to U-12’s and it conducts more than 20 youth tournaments, including tournaments within its EDP Cup Series and EDP Showcase Series.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at Press@UWSSoccer.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Director Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.

Santa Clarita Signs Castellanos

02/14/2017, 11:00am EST
By Admin

Venezuelan international adds scoring punch & flair to Blue Heat attack

SANTA CLARITA, CA - The 2016 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat are pleased to announce the addition of Venezuelan international forward Deyna Castellanos for the 2017 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) season. The current Florida State University freshman is coming off her first year of collegiate soccer for the Seminoles, starting 13 out 13 games and was the team's joint-top goal scorer with seven goals in 2016.

“She is the one of the best youth players in the world,” said Blue Heat Owner and Technical Director Carlos Marroquin. “She will be one of the best players in the world and to have her play with the Blue Heat in UWS is amazing.”

“I am very excited to be joining the Blue Heat this Summer,” said Castellanos. “I hear the quality of the league continues to grow and it will be a welcoming challenge for the team to defend the title from last year.”

Castellanos had a strong start to her FSU career, but her youth international record is more impressive. At the age of 14, Deyna was selected to represent Venezuela for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. She scored seven goals and three assists to earn a share of the Adidas Golden Boot (top scorer) alongside compatriot Gabriela Garcia as Venezuela finished in fourth place.

Two years on at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan, Castellanos would leave her mark again. Deyna scored one of the goals of the tournament in a group stage match vs. Cameroon, notching the 94th minute game-winner from inside the center circle. Venezuela finished in fourth while Castellanos scored five goals, enough to secure the Adidas Bronze Boot (third top scorer). She also took home the Adidas Bronze Ball (third best player of the tournament).

For the latest news, signings and updates visit the team’s official website at SCBlueHeat.com. You can “Like” the Santa Clarita Blue Heat on Facebook and on Twitter at @SCBlueHeat.

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). 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.

UWS is managed by EDP, a leading soccer management company that runs a number of leagues and tournaments. In addition to UWS, EDP operates youth leagues that includes an NPL league, the EDP Super Club program, the EDP Premier League and the EDP Championship League. EDP also runs EDP Futures programs for U-7’s to U-12’s and it conducts more than 20 youth tournaments, including tournaments within its EDP Cup Series and EDP Showcase Series.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at Press@UWSSoccer.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Director Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.

Santa Clarita Re-Sign Four Core Players

02/08/2017, 2:45pm EST
By Admin

Gudgeon, Castaneda, Hernandez & McCaskill return for Summer 2017

SANTA CLARITA, CA - The 2016 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat have re-signed four players from their title-winning side to their 2017 roster. Team captain Kelsey Gudgeon, midfielder Chloe Castaneda, forward Julia Hernandez and goalkeeper JoJo McCaskill have returned to the Blue Heat for the upcoming Summer 2017 UWS season.

“I’m really looking forward to starting this season, especially after the season we had last year,” said Gudgeon. “It was a wonderful experience becoming champions, and I think that makes it even more motivating to do well again this year and defend that title. I’m really glad to be playing with the amazing returning players from last season. They're good players and should fit right in, making it another successful season.”

Gudgeon returns to the defending UWS champions as club captain for the 2017 season. The 27-year-old was named to the 2016 All-UWS and All-West Conference Teams. The former Cal State-San Bernardino midfielder was the only Blue Heat player to play every single minute of every game in 2016 and was named the UWS West “Iron Woman” of the Year for her accomplishment.

Castaneda was selected to the All-UWS Team and was also named the UWS West Player of the Year last summer. The Blue Heat had four out of the top five scorers in the West Conference, with thanks going to Castaneda who led the team in assists (4). Chloe played in all 22 games for the No. 8 nationally-ranked UCLA Bruins this past fall.

Hernandez was named the 2016 UWS Championship Most Valuable Player, scoring two goals including the spectacular bicycle-kick game winner in the 119th minute to secure Santa Clarita the league title. The former Spanish National U-17 Team member played in 19 games alongside Castaneda for UCLA, who made it all the way to the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament.

McCaskill had a stellar season for the Blue Heat in goal in 2016 - making the All-West Conference Team - and it carried over to her fall collegiate season at Cal State Northridge. JoJo started all 21 matches in goal for the Matadors and was named the 2016 Big West Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and a 2016 All-Big West First Team member.

For the latest news, signings and updates visit the team’s official website at SCBlueHeat.com. You can “Like” the Santa Clarita Blue Heat on Facebook and on Twitter at @SCBlueHeat.

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). 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.

UWS is managed by EDP, a leading soccer management company that runs a number of leagues and tournaments. In addition to UWS, EDP operates youth leagues that includes an NPL league, the EDP Super Club program, the EDP Premier League and the EDP Championship League. EDP also runs EDP Futures programs for U-7’s to U-12’s and it conducts more than 20 youth tournaments, including tournaments within its EDP Cup Series and EDP Showcase Series.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at Press@UWSSoccer.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Director Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.