WPSL PacNorth Conference Update
The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is an independent highly competitive national women’s soccer league — in fact, it is the largest women’s soccer league in the world. As the 2017 WPSL season is approaching playoffs, SoccerToday is taking a look at the top women’s clubs competing in each WPSL region.
WPSL Soccer News: The 2017 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) season has now entered the final stretch of the 2017 women’s soccer season with the playoffs kicking off this weekend. Led by WPSL Commissioner Jerry Zanelli, the WPSL is well known for providing high-quality soccer for thousands of women across America.
Boasting the highest number of women owners in any amateur sports league, the WPSL is dedicated to growing the women’s game in the USA and creating opportunities for women to be successful.
Related Article: INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN SOCCER: WPSL’S JERRY ZANELLI
One of the most competitive areas of women’s soccer is the West Coast — or the PacNorth Region where Zanelli has coached a team himself for more years than most people can remember.
As one of the founding teams of the WPSL, Zanelli’s California Storm has always been a force on the field. Home to many players who progressed to show their skills on professional fields, Zanelli has coached U.S. Women’s National Team stars Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, and even Alex Morgan.
The 9 WPSL women’s soccer clubs in the PacNorth — Primero de Mayo, Hotspur Ladies, West Coast Wildkatz, California Thunder, San Ramon FC, MVLA Wolves, San Francisco Nighthawks, Fresno Freeze FC, and the California Storm — provide aspiring female soccer players the opportunity to experience a higher level of play.
The WPSL Standings in this competitive area:
| PacNorth Standing as of July 11, 2017 | GP0 | W0 | L0 | T0 | GF0 | GA0 | GD0 | PTS0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Storm | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 4 | 23 | 22 |
| Fresno Freeze FC | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 10 | 21 | 22 |
| San Francisco Nighthawks | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 18 |
| MVLA Wolves | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 12 |
| San Ramon FC | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 20 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| California Thunder | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 28 | -18 | 7 |
| West Coast Wildkatz | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 22 | -9 | 6 |
| Hotspur Ladies | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 17 | -12 | 5 |
| Primero de Mayo | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 37 | -30 | 3 |
“This season, our division — because we had 9 teams — decided to play each team once for a total of 8 games and then progress to have a playoff between the top 4 teams,” said Zanelli. “What this has done is it has kept 6 WPSL teams competing in the running for these last two weeks, instead of only 2 teams trying to earn a berth in the playoffs and see who goes to Regionals.”
It has been an exciting season for the PacNorth with seven teams returning and the arrival of two new clubs.
WPSL PACNORTH ACTION RECAP:
MVLA has been led by head coach Albertin Montoya of the Gold Pride, and the Sacramento Thunder graciously filled in for the North Bay Wave that opted to take a year off.
California Storm has claimed the top seed as they host the first round of the playoffs this weekend. The Storm is led by standout forwards Sherifatu Sumaila and Fiona O’Sullivan of the Ireland Women’s National Team.
Second place Fresno Freeze FC’s Anessa Aragon from Santa Clara University has been key for the club’s strong defense. Fresno has provided its fans with a great atmosphere over the season, sharing facilities with the men’s team.
The SF Nighthawks defense has been stellar with a strong back line anchored by Mariah Cameron and Halle Bissin as well as goalkeeper Katie Ladd.
According to Zanelli, who believes this has been a stellar season, “The nicest field played on throughout the conference is the manicured grass stadium of Kezar Stadium in San Francisco — something we can all appreciate.”
The opening round of the WPSL Playoffs will be hosted across the United States with playoff announcements soon to be released.
Photo Credit: California Storm
