W-League News Release
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced its Team of the Week for the first week of the 2012 season today, honoring Victoria Highlanders FC forward Lindsay Hoetzel as Player of the Week after she came off the bench to score twice in her team’s thrilling 3-2 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC Sunday.
Hoetzel entered the game at halftime with the score knotted at 1-1, and found the net in the 58th and 63rd minutes to give the Highlanders a lead they wouldn’t surrender. Victoria Midfielder Janelle Smith, who assisted on both of Hoetzel’s goals, also was named to the Team of the Week.
The Whitecaps are represented by forward Chelsea Buckland, who put her side ahead in the 41st minute and assisted on Vancouver’s second goal late. Rounding out the forwards this week is Grace Hawkins of the Long Island Rough Riders, who tallied four goals and an assist in her team’s season-opening victory against the New Jersey Rangers. Long Island defender Vaila Barsley also was named to the team after anchoring a defense that allowed only two shots on goal in the shutout victory.
A pair of teams making their W-League debuts placed players on the Team of the Week after the Central SC Cobras and VSI Tampa Flames battled to a 2-2 draw Sunday. Midfielder Debbie Smith tallied the first goal in Central SC franchise history to stake her team to an early lead, while VSI Tampa’s Cassie Barbaresi claimed one of the midfield spots after scoring the equalizer late to earn the team’s first point.
LA Strikers defender Christina Murillo was selected for her all-around strong play in her team’s opener vs. the Pali Blues, and rounding out this week’s squad are Blues goalkeeper Anna Marie Piccarelli and defender Liz Bogus, who played a big part in their squad’s 2-0 victory Sunday. Bogus tallied a goal and an assist from her spot on defense, while Piccarelli made six saves in recording the shutout.
The W-League ramps up this weekend with 21 of 30 teams in action in a 13-game slate. Teams playing their 2012 W-League openers include the defending-champion Atlanta Silverbacks (Friday vs. Central SC) and USWNT defender Becky Sauerbrunn’s D.C. United Women, who play host to the Virginia Beach Piranhas on Saturday.
W-League Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Anna Maria Piccarelli | Pali | Made 6 saves in 2-0 shutout victory vs. LA Strikers |
| D | Christina Murillo | LA | Strong game in the back in Strikers’ opener |
| D | Vaila Barsley | Long Island | Anchored D that allowed only 2 shots in win |
| D | Liz Bogus | Pali | Goal, assist and strong D in season-opening win |
| M | Leah Fortune | Charlotte | Goal, assist in 3-0 victory vs. VSI Tampa |
| M | Cassie Barbaresi | VSI Tampa | Scored GTG late in 2-2 draw against Central SC |
| M | Debbie Smith | Central SC | Tallied franchise’s 1st goal in 2-2 tie at VSI Tampa |
| M | Janelle Smith | Victoria | Pair of assists in season-opening win |
| F | Lindsay Hoetzel | Victoria | Scored twice off the bench to lead Highlanders |
| F | Chelsea Buckland | Vancouver | Goal, assist and 6 shots in season opener |
| F | Grace Hawkins | Long Island | Tallied 4 goals, assist in opening win |
Honorable Mention – Central SC – Cally Morrill, Ashley Swinehart; Charlotte – Hannah Gmerek, Robyn Jones; LA Strikers – Hannah Beard, Kassi Massey; Long Island – Kaila Sciasia, Brooke DeRosa, Hailey Hemmer, Rachel Hoffman; Pali – Sarah Huffman, Elizabeth Eddy, Ann Marie Tangorra; Vancouver – Janine Frazao; Victoria – Liz Hansen; VSI Tampa – Sarah Miller, Yvonne George