EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - Last week, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced the list of players that will be eligible for selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. The unprecedented fifth edition of the draft will take place this Thursday, January 12th at 3:00 PM ET (Noon PT) at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Los Angeles. Ten players with connections to United Women’s Soccer (UWS) member teams will take part in the NWSL Draft, highlighted by three players from 2016 East Conference champion New Jersey Copa F.C.
UWS will also take part in this week’s convention festivities, as fans, friends and potential players, sponsors & teams can meet up with league officials at Booth 369 starting this Wednesday afternoon when the convention officially kicks off. The full list of current players & alumni with connections to UWS member teams is below:
NAME - POS. - HOMETOWN - COLLEGE / CLUB
Morgan Andrews - M/D/F - Milford, NH - Univ. of Southern California / New England Mutiny *
Emily Armstrong - GK - Collegeville, PA - Univ. of Connecticut / Lancaster Inferno
Nicole Bates - D - Basking Ridge, NJ - Fordham Univ. / New Jersey Copa F.C.
Nickolette Driesse - M/D - Wayne, N.J. - Pennsylvania State Univ. / TSF Academy
Callie Duliba - D/M - Kintnersville, PA - Villanova Univ. / New Jersey Copa F.C.
Kaitlyn Johnson - F/M - Los Angeles, CA - Washington State Univ. / Colorado Pride
Serina Kashimoto - D/M/F - Hiroshima, Japan - Butler Univ. / New York Magic *
Diana Poulin - GK - Hauppauge, NY - St. John's Univ. / Long Island Rough Riders *
Kristyn Shea - GK - Piscataway, NJ - Providence College / New Jersey Copa F.C.
Michele Vasconcelos - M/F - Sandy, UT - Brigham Young Univ. / Real Salt Lake Women
* signifies club alumni who did not play in UWS 2016
NWSL will live stream the 2017 NWSL College Draft via Facebook and YouTube on Thursday, with host Mark Rogondino, analyst Aly Wagner, analyst Jen Cooper and reporter Ashleigh Ignelzi broadcasting live from the JW Marriott. Click HERE for full draft broadcast information and HERE for the full NWSL College Draft list.
New Jersey Copa F.C. will have three draft-eligible players, led by 2016 All-UWS Honorable Mention & All-UWS East Conference First Team goalkeeper Kristyn Shea who played in nine matches (664 minutes) and had 27 saves over the course of the season. The former Providence College shot-stopper was named the UWS East Defensive Player of the Week (Week 2), going 1-0-1 in a win over TSF Academy and a draw against Long Island.
Nicole Bates was also part of Copa’s stalwart defense and was named to the UWS East Honorable Mention Team - playing 687 minutes while helping to hold opponents to only 11 goals scored - and Defensive Player of the Week (Week 5). The senior captain for Fordham University was named First Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference. Callie Duliba (eight games, 693 minutes) was named UWS East Defensive Player of the Week (Week 3) when the center back’s leadership paid dividends in a shutout win over New York.
Emily Armstrong split duties in goal for the Lancaster Inferno this past summer, playing 276 minutes in seven matches (12 saves). At UConn, she was chosen as American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year for the second consecutive season. Nickolette Driesse was named UWS East Offensive Player of the Week (Week 6), when she led TSF Academy with two goals in a 3-1 win over New England. At Penn State, Driesse was a team co-captain and a All-Big Ten First Team and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team selection.
Kaitlyn Johnson was named to the UWS All-West Conference First Team for the Colorado Pride, playing seven matches (497 minutes). The Washington State forward was named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team for the second straight fall. Michele Vasconcelos led Real Salt Lake Women in scoring (three goals, three assists) and was named to the All-UWS Honorable Mention & All-West Conference Teams. At BYU, she was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year and totaled 16 goals & 13 assists which ranked her fifth nationally (2.14 points per game).
For full information on the 2017 NSCAA Convention, click 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.
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - In contrast to the dramatic conclusion of the title race in the West Conference of United Women’s Soccer (UWS), the East Conference saw a team shake off an early season setback to make an impressive run for the championship this season. New Jersey Copa F.C. (8-1-1) will look to continue that momentum on Saturday when they travel to face West champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat (4-1-3) in the league’s inaugural final. For the rest of the UWS East - which includes some long-time successful organizations - they will have to look back on their respective on-the-field performances from 2016 and build themselves back up for 2017.
New Jersey started their first-ever season at the pro-am level against the Long Island Rough Riders, who hosted the inaugural UWS match (5/14). The Rough Riders looked every bit a team that has been in operation since the early 90’s, taking the 3-0 win over Copa. NJCFC would win their next match over the TSF Academy Valkyries but than had to hold on for a 1-1 draw vs. Long Island at home. Now at 1-1-1, UWS East Coach of the Year Roberto Aguas put his team into high gear and they took off from there. Copa won their next three matches by a 12-0 margin over New York (5/29), TSF Academy (6/4) and Lancaster (6/11) and finished their East slate with seven straight victories.
A big part of New Jersey’s success was the dominant form of forward Krystyna Freda. She translated her goal-scoring prowess from her stints in the collegiate and professional ranks to the pro-am ranks. By the end of the season, Freda had been awarded UWS East Player of the Week three times and had taken the UWS scoring race (15 goals, three assist, 33 points) for herself. For that, the Somerset, NJ-native was named the conference Player of the Year. But in a mark of how complete a team Copa was, four teammates would join Freda on the 2016 All-East Team. And now, NJCFC is one win away from claiming the league title.
The New England Mutiny (6-4) played a major part in the organization & development of UWS, and looked to duplicate their 17 years of success in the new national pro-am league. Their season started well, as they defeated old rival New York Magic by a 3-0 score in front of a capacity home crowd. A tough 3-2 road win over Lancaster (5/22) foreshadowed their first loss in the home rematch vs. the Inferno (6/4). From there, they went 2-2 in their next four games and issues on set-piece defending began to plague the team. And in their two opportunities to catch up to Copa, the Mutiny would lose both encounters against them by a goal.
But one result that truly foretold New England’s fate was their 3-1 loss to TSF Academy on June 19th. After scoring the first goal, the Mutiny were overrun by the Valkyries, allowing three unanswered tallies to what was at that time a low-scoring team. But even though team defense was an issue this year, the individual talent the East runner-ups possessed was recognized by the league. Defenders Allyson Swaby and Jennifer Cafferky were named All-East and that bodes well for their defense in 2017. Team veterans Kate Howarth (second in scoring in UWS) and Stephanie Santos would also receive conference honors. New England finished third in UWS scoring (21 goals).
The Long Island Rough Riders (4-3-3) had the best success against the East champions of all the teams in the conference, going 1-0-1 against NJCFC. But it was their old W-League rivals in the Mutiny that proved to the thorn in their side this season. They lost both games to New England which would cement their third-place finish. Long Island had the second best defense in all of UWS this year (10 goals allowed) but couldn’t muster enough consistency in attack (+6 goal differential). Forward Christina Bellero would be selected to the All-East Team for her efforts, but it was a pair of veteran defenders - conference Defensive Player of the Year Kelly Eagan & Sue Alber - who were named to the First Team.
The improvement from their 2015 WPSL season to the 2016 UWS East campaign was tangible for the Lancaster Inferno (4-5-1), it was just simply a matter of not putting enough positive results in a row for the fourth-place side. After losing their home opener to the Mutiny, Lancaster started June with a strong weekend of two 1-0 wins over New England and Long Island. But the Inferno would than lose their next three games. Wins over New York (6/25) and TSF Academy (7/9) picked them back up again but a 0-1-1 finish to 2016 dropped them back down. Two players would be honored by the league office, as Costa Rican international Carol Sanchez made the All-East First Team while Trisha Clark was an Honorable Mention selection.
The TSF Academy Valkyries (3-4-3) can certainly look at themselves with a measure of pride, especially after the way 2016 ended. TSF could only manage one win in their first six games - a strong effort vs. East contender New England that saw midfielder Nickolette Driesse be named conference Offensive Player of the Week - but went on a solid 2-1-1 run (2-0-1 at home) to complete their slate. The play of midfielder Alana O’Neill would be recognized as she was named to the All-East First Team while teammate Jen Andresen was awarded Honorable Mention honors.
The New York Magic (0-8-2) - another long-standing women’s soccer organization - were the lone team in UWS to not notch a victory. New York scored the second-fewest goals in the league (11 in 10 games) but allowed the most (34) which spelled their doom in last-place. But that was not the fault of Magic goalkeeper Samantha Depken, a veteran leader for the team who ended the season making the most saves (67) in UWS and would be named UWS East Defensive Player of the Week two times. She would receive an All-East Team accolade for her resoluteness in goal. Shani Abrahams would finish the year tied in fifth place in the league in goals scored (5).
EAST CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Week 1:
Christina Bellero - Long Island Rough Riders (Offensive)
Cailynn Harding - New England Mutiny (Defensive)
Week 2:
Kate Howarth - New England Mutiny (Offensive)
Kristyn Shea - New Jersey Copa F.C. (Defensive)
Week 3:
Krystyna Freda - New Jersey Copa F.C. (Offensive)
Callie Duliba - New Jersey Copa F.C. (Defensive)
Week 4:
Teresa Rynier - Lancaster Inferno (Offensive)
Carol Sanchez - Lancaster Inferno (Defensive)
Week 5:
Krystyna Freda - New Jersey Copa F.C. (Offensive)
Samantha Depken - New York Magic (Defensive)
Nicole Bates - New Jersey Copa F.C. (Defensive)
Week 6:
Nickolette Driesse - TSF Academy Valkyries (Offensive)
Melissa Guglielmo - Long Island Rough Riders (Defensive)
Week 7:
Jeanine Nunez - New Jersey Copa F.C. (Offensive)
Alexandra Plantive - Lancaster Inferno (Defensive)
Week 8:
NO WEEKLY AWARD
Week 9:
Krystyna Freda - New Jersey Copa F.C. (Offensive)
Jennifer Cafferky - New England Mutiny (Defensive)
Week 10:
Christina Bellero - Long Island Rough Riders (Offensive)
Erin Neville - Long Island Rough Riders (Defensive)
Week 11:
Kate Howarth - New England Mutiny (Offensive)
Samantha Depken - New York Magic (Defensive)
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 Commissioner Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - After yesterday’s announcement of the 2016 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) All-West Conference Team, its now turn to recognize the East Conference of this national pro-am league. After suffering a defeat in their first game of the season, New Jersey Copa F.C. (8-1-1) went undefeated and captured the conference crown with two weeks remaining on the East slate. The 2016 UWS All-East Conference Team has a definite Copa flavor to it, but is also well-complemented by the other five teams to form a well-balanced side.
NJCFC Head Coach Roberto Aguas & Associate Head Coach J.R. Balzarini have been named the UWS East Coaches of the Year, with their high-scoring forward Krystyna Freda nabbing UWS East Player of the Year honors. The Long Island Rough Riders (4-3-3) had the stingiest defense in the conference this season, and their veteran defender Kelly Eagan is the UWS East Defensive Player of the Year.
New Jersey evolved from serving as the affiliate for Sky Blue F.C. of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2015 to becoming their very own success story in 2016, and Copa Founder Roberto Aguas was at the head of their initiative. Alongside his trusted sidekick in Associate Head Coach J.R. Balzarini, the pair were able to sign a core of players from their club, and added experience and flair in the form of newcomers like Freda to compliment the team. After a 3-0 loss to Long Island to start the season, NJCFC steadily improved as the season went along, culminating in a East title in their first year at the pro-am level.
“A coaching staff of the year selection for me is a team effort,” said Aguas. “From our associate head coaches to our general manager and most importantly our players, we have dedicated a tremendous effort to making our first year a success. We are honored to be selected amongst an outstanding group of coaching peers and look forward to continuing to represent the East in the UWS National Championship match this weekend.”
After being held scoreless in her first game in Copa colors, Krystyna Freda would go on an impressive run of form, netting a goal in eight of the last nine games to finish the season. Her 15 goals and three assists (33 points) won the UWS scoring race by a tidy margin. Freda’s success should not be a surprise, as last year for Merilappi United in the Finnish Naisten-Liiga, she scored 10 times in 14 games and had three Game MVP selections to her credit. The former Winthrop University star has been a goal machine for some time now, as she notched 63 goals in her four-year career for the Big South Conference side.
“It is such an honor to receive this award,” said Freda. “This season, our team and coaches have worked so hard to get to the point we are at now. Without them there to support me, I would have never been able to accomplish what I did.”
Long Island had the best defense in the UWS East this season (10 goals allowed in 10 games), with thanks going to their top defender Kelly Eagan and her veteran leadership. The Rough Riders allowed only seven goals in the eight games Kelly started and she was in the top five in minutes played for her team. Receiving end-of-season accolades is nothing new to Eagan, as she was a four-year All-Big East and NSCAA All-Region selection at Villanova University. Remarkably, the St. James, NY-native started every single game in her four-year career for the Wildcats, which ended after the 2009 campaign.
“I am grateful to receive this honor,” said Eagan. “We were a solid unit defensively this season and the credit should be shared with all my teammates.”
2016 UWS All-East Conference First Team
F KRYSTYNA FREDA - New Jersey Copa F.C.
F KATE HOWARTH - New England Mutiny
F JEANINE NUNEZ - New Jersey Copa F.C.
MF STEPHANIE SANTOS - New England Mutiny
MF JACKIE BRUNO - New Jersey Copa F.C.
MF ALANA O’NEILL - TSF Academy Valkyries
D CAROL SANCHEZ - Lancaster Inferno
D KELLY EAGAN - Long Island Rough Riders
D SUE ALBER - Long Island Rough Riders
D ALLYSON SWABY - New England Mutiny
GK KRISTYN SHEA - New Jersey Copa F.C.
2016 UWS All-East Conference Honorable Mention
F CHRISTINA BELLERO - Long Island Rough Riders
MF JEN ANDRESEN - TSF Academy Valkyries
MF TRISHA CLARK - Lancaster Inferno
D NICOLE BATES - New Jersey Copa F.C.
D JENNIFER CAFFERKY - New England Mutiny
GK SAMANTHA DEPKEN - New York Magic
Coaches Of The Year
ROBERTO AGUAS - New Jersey Copa F.C.
J.R. BALZARINI - New Jersey Copa F.C.
Player Of The Year
KRYSTYNA FREDA - New Jersey Copa F.C.
Defensive Player Of The Year
KELLY EAGAN - Long Island Rough Riders
“Iron Woman” Of The Year (Most Minutes Played For Her Team)
New Jersey Copa F.C. - REBECCA RABER
New England Mutiny - CAILYNN HARDING
Long Island Rough Riders - SUE ALBER
Lancaster Inferno - CAROL SANCHEZ
TSF Academy Valkyries - JEN MIHOK
New York Magic - KRISTINA HRISTIC
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 Commissioner Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.