June 8, 2018
By UWS Staff
Saturday, June 9
Long Island Rough Riders vs. Rochester Lady Lancers
5:00 PM EDT – Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY)
Long Island have vaulted up the table since the start of Week IV play, taking four points last weekend in a pair of matches in Western New York. And then, Karim Diallo’s side started Week V early with a Wednesday evening match against New York Surf, taking home a 3-1 victory. After giving up a first half goal, the Rough Riders scored three inside the final half hour, all coming from three-second half substitutes. Taylor Elliott netted the equalizer in the 64th minute, Kerianne Scorce scored the go-ahead goal in the 70th minute and Marisa Garcia rounded out the second half scoring barrage with a stoppage time tally. Now Long Island face Rochester for the second time in 2018, as the two sides drawing last week at the Marina Auto Stadium. But if the hosts can turn one point into three points this weekend, they will have firmly put themselves in contention to possibly repeat as East Conference Champions.
Rochester will have been slightly disappointed in how last Sunday turned out in their meeting against Long Island. The Lady Lancers went ahead in the 26th minute as Brooke Barbuto buried a penalty kick to give her side the lead, only to see it slip in the 73rd minute as goalkeeper Caitie Broderick mis-judged a long free kick into the box, allowing an easy tap-in goal for Laura Gomez. But after what was a troubling 2017 season with the team earning just one point in ten matches and only scoring ten goals, they’ve already surpassed both marks in just four matches, with five points and 12 goals. A large reason for that is having Barbuto and Elin Eklund both amongst the league leaders in goals (4) and points (9) at this stage in the season. And with this being a double-match weekend, four or more points from this week for the Lady Lancers keeps them very much alive in the postseason race.
Sunday, June 10
New York Surf vs. Rochester Lady Lancers
1:30 PM EDT – SUNY Maritime (Bronx, NY)
New York and Rochester will square off in a Sunday afternoon matchup, with both teams looking for three points to keep their hopes for a postseason spot alive. Interestingly enough, the schedule has it that both squads are playing on the road the day before so it will be curious to see what the tempo will be like in the early goings. Both teams’ defensive records have not been the greatest thus far in 2018, as only Worcester have given up more goals than either side. But with Rochester also bolstering one of the highest offensive scoring teams in the league, this match could end up turning out to be a very back-and-forth match for 90 minutes with no one-goal lead ever being safe.
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.