Soccer News: Margaret Purce Named Player of the Week
The W-League announced its Team of the Week for Week 5 of the 2015 regular season, with Washington Spirit Reserves forward Margaret Purce named as Player of the Week. Purce scored twice Friday, including the late game-winner, as Washington took a crucial 3-2 win at the Charlotte Lady Eagles.
The Ivy League Rookie and Player of the Year as a freshman at Harvard in 2014, Purce gave the Spirit Reserves a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute, then scored the winner in the 61st after Charlotte’s Annie Speese, a Team of the Week midfield selection, had scored her second of the match to make it 2-2 two minutes earlier. Charlotte fell to 3-1-0 while Washington improved to 4-0-1.
Spirit Reserves defender Meghan Cox was also selected after scoring once and helping the team earn a 4-0 shutout at Atlanta on Saturday. Also named on defense are North Jersey’s Alana O’Neill and New Jersey’s Elizabeth Thoresen, who both shone defensively as the rivals played to a scoreless draw. Rounding out the group is Vanessa Legault-Cordisco of the Laval Comets, who scored the winner in her team’s 2-0 win at New York.
The Carolina Elite Cobras got into the win column with a 2-0 final against Braddock Road on Friday, and forward Carlie Couch was named to the Team of the Week forward corps after tallying the game-winner. The third forward selection is Brianna Hooks of the Seattle Sounders Women, who notched the winner in a huge 2-1 victory against the Colorado Pride on Sunday.
Celeste Boureille of the Colorado Rush makes another appearance in the Team of the Week midfield after scoring twice as the Rush improved to 5-0-0, and Quebec’s Arielle Roy-Petitclerc also makes a return appearance after scoring the game-winner at Long Island on Sunday.
The final member of the team is Seattle goalkeeper Kathryn Scheele, who made 17 saves, recorded a shutout and only allowed two goals against as the Sounders Women enjoyed a perfect 3-0-0 week.
YouTube Live once again serves as the official video platform for the W-League in 2015. Live games from throughout the league as well as team highlights and weekly league videos provide fans a front-row seat during the season.
W-League Team of the Week
Pos. | Player | Team | Highlights |
GK | Kathryn Scheele | Sounders Women | 17 saves, 2GA, 1 shutout in 3-0-0 week |
D | Meghan Cox | Wash. Spirit Reserves | Scored and led team to shutout at Atlanta |
D | Vanessa Legault-Cordisco | Laval Comets | Scored GWG, led team to shutout in win at NY |
D | Alana O’Neill | No. Jersey Valkyries | Outstanding game in 0-0 draw vs. Wildcats |
D | Elizabeth Thoresen | New Jersey Wildcats | Led D in scoreless draw vs. North Jersey |
M | Celeste Boureille | Colorado Rush | Scored twice as Rush improved to 5-0-0 |
M | Arielle Roy-Petitclerc | Que. Dynamo ARSQ | Notched GWG at LI to give Dynamo 1-0-1 weekend |
M | Annie Speese | Charlotte Lady Eagles | Scored GWG vs. BR, added 2 more vs. Wash. |
F | Carlie Couch | Carolina Elite Cobras | Tallied GWG as Cobras took first win |
F | Brianna Hooks | Sounders Women | Scored GWG in huge 2-1 win vs. Pride |
F | Margaret Purce | Wash. Spirit Reserves | Scored 2, including GWG, in huge win at Charlotte |
Honorable Mention: Charlotte – Leah Fortune, Robyn Horner-Jones, Amanda Naeher; Carolina – Jackie Denova; Colorado Pride – Tara Andrews, Britt Eckerstrom, Sophie Howard; Colorado Rush – Janine Beckie, Kirsten Crowley, Danica Evans; Laval – Kayla Adamek; Long Island – Kelly Eagan, Shan Jones; New Jersey – Sam McDonough; New York – Serina Kashimoto, MaryKate Krol, Sara Sanau-Ruiz; Quebec – Melissande Guy, Marie-Sandra Ujeneza; Santa Clarita – Chloe McDaniel; Seattle – Janelle Flaws, Rose Lavelle, Anne Steinlage; Washington – Imani Dorsey, Megan Dougherty-Howard, Carson Pickett.