Western Conference Team: Calgary Foothills WFC

Hailing from Canada, Calgary Foothills WFC is made up primarily of University of Calgary and Canadian players for obvious Visa reasons. But thanks to Canada’s deep (but albeit untapped) player pool, they didn’t struggle to fill their bench with quality talent. With 29 goals scored and only 7 goals allowed, they dominated the West Division with a perfect 10-0-0 record. They earned their spot in the finals over conference rivals and title defenders SC Blue Heat.

Players to watch are Mya Jones from the University of Memphis, who hasn’t declared if she’ll be taking her optional 5th year yet. Jones was the leading goal scorer for Calgary and will surely be looking to get some touches in the box again, specifically from Lara Kazandjian, our second player to watch, who led her team in assists.

Calgary Foothills WFC will face Penn-NY Division leaders FC Buffalo on Saturday, July 23rd at 4:30 PM EST at the Lusitano Stadium in Massachusetts.

Photo from UWS Facebook Page (Credited to Dick Fontaine Photography)

Central Conference Team: Chicago Mustangs

With 56 goals, the Mustangs stand atop the table in terms of goals scored. Nina Nicosia leads the UWS and her team with 12 goals and Julia Simon is second on her team with 10 goals. In fact, the Mustangs have 15 players who can and have scored goals over the course of the season. Needless to say, they’re very dangerous in the front, and with only 4 goals allowed this season, their backline and goalkeepers are equally formidable.

Players to watch include Nicosia, of course, the midfielder from Illinois who will be a sophomore at NC State this fall. Julia Simon will also be one to watch on the frontline. Also from Illinois, Simon just transferred to St. Louis University from the University of Louisville after a successful season with the Card. She’s headed into her sophomore year a clear starter for her team, especially after her 10 goals and 4 assists.

The Chicago Mustangs are slated to face the San Antonio Athenians on Saturday, July 23rd at 7:00 PM EST at the Lusitano Stadium in Massachusetts.

Photo from Chicago Mustangs Facebook Page

South Conference Team: San Antonio Athenians

The San Antonio Athenians have booked their second trip to the UWS National Championship tournament. Last year they lost their semifinal to the 2021 Champions Santa Clarita Blue Heat. This year the returnees know what to expect and the new players are talented. Athenians ended the regular season in the Southwest Conference with a 7-1-2 record scoring 32 goals and only conceding 5. The Athenians qualified for the South Conference playoffs when Austin Elite FC was dealt sanctions that prevented them from finishing their season. The Southeast conference failed to provide an opponent which resulted in an immediate pass to the National Championship. This time between games, providing rest, is coming at the right time where players will be healed up and ready to play. In the six-week short time frame every game played together can help with cohesion, reading runs of fellow players and anticipating passes. Without playing in the conference playoffs it is hard to get a good read on the true level of skill without the evaluation of competition against other top teams. The National Championship will be a good test for the Athenians.

This roster is filled with the talent that can overcome that limitation. Players to watch include attacking talent Sierra Wannamaker with 6 goals and Keely Ayala with five goals, both play for University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. Texas Tech and former UCLA player Jillian Martinez in the midfield with 3 goals and 3 assists. Martinez and sister Brooke are technically talented with a good vision of the field. Mia Wildeman will be in goal again as she was in the 2021 national championship games. On defense captain Ashley Newland will be securing the outside with Eve Clarkson and Amanda Chimbina as the stalwart center backs. Jade Piper has come off the bench to bring energy and two goals.

East Conference Team: FC Buffalo

FC Buffalo has only been in UWS for two seasons and they are already back to back Penn-NY division champions. For 2022 their record is an impressive 7-1-2. FC Buffalo has already had a chance in Lusitano Stadium for the conference playoffs, learning the field and developing a comfort level, an advantage. Core players for the team have come from D1 University of Buffalo. It’s a benefit to have players who play year round together.

Buffalo has faced some fierce competitors in the playoff run. Their first round involved defeating number one seed New England Mutiny 2-1. In the East Conference Final Buffalo defeated Coppermine United 3-2. In both games they were able to push through to find the final goal and secure the win.

Players to watch for FC Buffalo include, Carissima Cutrona who has scored seven goals and five assists accounting for one third of the team’s goals. Her touch is sure and she can find the space on the field like a pure forward. 2020 MAC defensive player of the year Hannah Callaghan. Ella Rudney, 16-year-old Nebraska commit and soon to be Senior in high school, had two goals and an assist during the division title match. Sara Woods, 17 year old player, “She was named the New York State Class B player of the year after guiding Lew-Port to its first state final in 27 years. Woods was Section VI’s second-leading scorer with 94 points and was the leader in assists with 30.” Western NY Flash ECNL is the club team for both young players. Emily Kelly, goal keeper, has achieved all MAC first team honors while at UB, and has only allowed 5 goals against her all season.

Photo from FC Buffalo Facebook Page (credited to team photographer Ryan Bartholomew)

- Danielle Gawronski and Elisabeth Schendel