UWS Clubs Start Selecting 2019 Rosters
With the 2019 UWS Season set to kick off in the coming weeks, clubs across the league have announced initial signings for the upcoming campaign. The UWS is entering its fourth season of competition with an impressive list of players set to compete.
UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer. The second division women’s league is comprised of current and former college and professional players.
United Women’s Soccer News: United Women’s Soccer (UWS) clubs have started filling out preliminary rosters ahead of season kickoff next month.
The 2019 UWS Season will consist of eight teams competing in the Eastern Conference. The conference’s opening fixtures will be held on Saturday, May 11. Provided below is an overview of the offseason signings made by Eastern Conference clubs.
United Women’s Soccer (UWS) Connecticut Fusion
The Connecticut Fusion has announced the return of three key players from its successful inaugural season in UWS. Midfielder Stephanie Santos, former University of Hartford standout, will return to the Fusion for the 2019 campaign. Santos started 11 matches for the Fusion last season and led the team in minutes played.
Forward Chanel Johnson, another former University of Hartford athlete, will also return to the Fusion. Johnson recorded five goals and two assists in her first season with the Fusion, helping the club to a second place finish in a nine-team Eastern Conference. Center-back Kylee McIntosh will return to the Fusion back line. The 2018 team captain started in nine regular-season games last campaign.
United Women’s Soccer (UWS) Lancaster Inferno Rush
Haley Crawford, a senior at James Madison University, will return to Lancaster Inferno Rush after a stellar 2018 campaign. The forward received 2018 UWS Offensive Player of the Year honors and was named to the 2018 All-UWS First Team, 2018 All-East Conference First Team and 2018 All-Championship Team.
Tesa McKibben, a former player at Saint Francis University, will also return to Lancaster for the 2019 campaign. McKibben was named UWS Iron Woman of the Year last season for playing every minute of the 2018 campaign. The forward was also named to the 2018 All-UWS First Team, 2018 All-East Conference First Team and 2018 All-Championship Team.
Sam Lofton, a former player at James Madison University, is a new addition by Lancaster Inferno. Lofton spent time playing in Scandinavia as well as with the Portland Thorns and Boston Breakers of the NWSL.
United Women’s Soccer (UWS) New England Mutiny
Kate Howarth, former NWSL player with the Boston Breakers, will rejoin the New England Mutiny for the 2019 season. In addition, U.S. Youth National Team member and New England native Ellie Jean, senior at Penn State, will return to the team.
New England Mutiny has also made several key signings during the offseason. Former Boston Breakers midfielder Rachel Wood will join New England for the 2019 campaign. Roma McLaughlin, a current player for Central Connecticut State, will compete for the Mutiny when she is not on duty with the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team. Lastly, Catalina Perez, a former player for Mississippi State, brings her First Team All-SEC, First Team All-Southeast and Third Team All-American recognition to New England. Perez has also been called up to the Colombia Women’s National Team.
United Women’s Soccer (UWS) Syracuse Development Academy (SDA)
Syracuse Development Academy (SDA) will welcome the return of the 2018 UWS Player of the Year, Brooke Barbuto. The SDA youth coach played in Finland, Iceland and the former American W-League.
SDA youth alums Caroline Kopp and Mariah Williams, former players at the University of Albany, will also suit up for Syracuse. Kopp was the America East Defensive Player of the Year in 2017-2018 and earned America East All-Conference 1st Team honors in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Williams was the 2018 America East Striker of the Year and earned a spot on the America East All-Conference 1st Team. She was also named to the 2018 United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Second Team.
For a full schedule of the Eastern Conference click here.
