USL News Release
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced today the USL W-League Team of the Week for the first week of the W-League season, honoring Pali Blues’ Emily Wynne as Player of the Week. Wynne scored the game winning goal to go along with an assist in Pali’s 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Legends, Saturday night.
The defending W-League Champion Blues took first blood in the 14th minute when Wynne found fellow team of the week honoree Jodie Taylor with a well weighted through ball. Taylor slotted the ball in the side netting past Los Angeles goalkeeper Alicia Lugo. With Los Angeles tying the match in the 48th minute it took Wynne just three minutes to find the winner for Pali, heading home a corner from Iris Mora. The victory keeps Pali’s perfect record (15-0-0) in tact across the W-League regular season and playoffs, dating back to 2008.
"In a game that lacked rhythm, Emily came through in a big way to secure a win for us and it is always a good sign when a player delivers so early on in the season," said Blues’ Head Coach Charlie Naimo.
Washington goalkeeper Alyssa Pont fought off a barrage from the Boston Renegades, making eight saves and facing down 18 shots in the 1-0 victory. Midfielder Sandra Matute scored the game winner off a penalty kick, after being fouled in the box.
“Sandra was an important piece to our team at both ends of the field,” said Washington Freedom Director, Win Puffer. "She is an extremely smart player with great vision. She makes the game look very easy. Sandra was great for us at both ends of the field, defensively she had a very strong game, won the majority challenges she went into. On the other end, her distribution was excellent, kick-starting our attack with her passing."
| Pos |
Name |
Team |
Highlights |
| GK |
Alyssa Pont |
Washington |
7 saves, SO in 1-0 win at Boston |
| D |
Jill Edwards |
Charlotte |
Assist in 2-1 loss to Hampton Roads |
| D |
Erin Hardy |
Pali |
90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Los Angeles |
| D |
Amelia Mathis |
Los Angeles |
Assist in 2-1 loss to Pali Blues |
| M |
Sandra Matute |
Washington |
GWG in 1-0 win at Boston |
| M |
Emily Wynne |
Pali |
GWG and assist in 2-1 win vs. Los Angeles |
| M |
Kimberly Francis |
Hampton Roads |
GWG in 2-1 win over Charlotte |
| M |
Samantha Hire |
Charlotte |
Goal in 2-1 loss to Hampton Roads |
| M |
Jodie Taylor |
Pali |
Goal in 2-1 win vs. Los Angeles |
| F |
Kristen Hextall |
New Jersey |
GWG in 1-0 win at Long Island |
| F |
Mercy Akide Udoh |
Hampton Roads |
Goal in 2-1 win over Charlotte |
