W-League News Release
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced its Team of the Week for Week 4 of the 2012 season today, honoring New Jersey Wildcats forward Maya Hayes as Player of the Week. Seeing her first action of the season Hayes tallied six goals and three assists in the week, including a four-goal outburst against the New Jersey Rangers, to help the Wildcats stay within a point of Long Island for the Northeast Division lead. 
In only three games played Hayes has already moved into second in the league scoring race, trailing fellow Team of the Week forward Grace Hawkins of Long Island by three points. Hawkins earned the nod for the second time this season after she scored twice in her squad’s important 3-2 win against Hayes’ Wildcats. Hayes’ striking partner Esmerelda Negron also was selected after recording a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory against North Jersey, and D.C. United Women’s Mikaela Howell rounds out the forward corps following her three assists in a pair of wins in Dayton that kept D.C. perfect at 4-0-0.
Backstopping this week’s team is Colorado Rapids Women’s Lauren Robertson, who posted an eight-save shutout in Victoria Sunday to keep her squad within striking distance of the Western Conference leaders. Rapids Women defender Lynsey Janes was also selected after scoring the goal that gave Colorado the 1-0 victory. Atlanta defender Nicole Hill tallied three assists as the defending champs stayed perfect with another pair of wins, while New York’s Kelsey Hegg starred as she led the Magic defense in a 1-0 shutout win against Long Island – the league’s top offensive team.
A pair of game-winners highlight the Team of the Week midfield, as Pali’s Yesim Servet Unzular scored an injury-time winner against Santa Clarita and led the game with six shots while Seattle’s Veronica Perez tallied the winner in a battle of two undefeated squads in a 2-1 win against the Colorado Rush. Rounding out the team is Laval’s Veronique Laverdiere, who scored and proved too much to handle for London in a 2-1 win.
W-League Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Lauren Robertson | Col. Rapids | Posted 8-save shutout vs. Victoria |
| D | Nicole Hill | Atlanta | 3 assists in pair of wins; dominant D in shutout vs. FC Jax |
| D | Kelsey Hegg | New York | Shut down league’s top offense in 1-0 win vs. Long Island |
| D | Lynsey Janes | Col. Rapids | Scored GWG from right back; held Victoria scoreless |
| M | Yesim Servet Unzular | Pali | Scored injury-time winner vs. Santa Clarita; game-high 6 shots |
| M | Veronica Perez | Seattle | Scored GWG, recorded 6 SOG vs. Colorado Rush |
| M | Veronique Laverdiere | Laval | Scored 1st goal, had 4 SOG in 2-1 win vs. London |
| F | Esmerelda Negron | NJ Wildcats | Recorded hat-trick in 4-2 win vs. North Jersey |
| F | Grace Hawkins | Long Island | Scored twice in 3-2 win vs. NJ Wildcats |
| F | Maya Hayes | NJ Wildcats | Tallied 6 goals, 3 assists in three games, including 4-goal game |
| F | Mikaela Howell | DC United | Tallied 3 assists in pair of wins at Dayton |
Honorable Mention: Atlanta – Elizabeth Guess, Nicole Locandro; Central SC – Claire Joyce; Charlotte – Leah Fortune; Colorado Rapids – Brooke Spence; Colorado Rush – Dayle Colpitts; D.C. United – Samantha Baker; Fredericksburg – Becca Wann; Laval – Catherine Charron-Delage; London – Rebecca Singer; Long Island – Vaila Barsley; North Jersey – Nickolette Driesse; New York – Rashidah Sherman; Ottawa – Kelly Conheeney; Pali – Liz Bogus, Christie Shaner; Quebec City – Josee Belanger; Rochester – Brianna Smith; Santa Clarita – Cynthia Jacobo; Seattle – Keelin Winters, Stephanie Cox; Toronto – Cloe Lacasse; Virginia Beach – Rasheeda Ansari, Emily Kittleson;