W-League News Release
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced its Team of the Week for Week 5 of the 2012 season today, honoring Pali Blues forward Lynn Williams as Player of the Week. Williams was the offensive leader for the Blues as they collected a trio of wins to stay perfect at 7-0-0 atop the Western Conference standings.
Williams started her standout week with two goals and an assist Wednesday night vs. Victoria, followed by both goals in Friday’s crucial 2-1 victory against the Colorado Rapids Women. Williams rounded out the week with an assist in a 3-0 win against the Colorado Rush.
Making her unprecedented fourth consecutive appearance on the Team of the Week is D.C. United Women midfielder Mikaela Howell, who scored the game-winner and added an assist as D.C. took control of the Atlantic Division with a 3-2 win against previously unbeaten Fredericksburg. A trio of U.S. Women’s National Team notables were also named to the team. Seattle’s Alex Morgan recorded a goal, assist and eight shots in a 3-0 win vs. the Colorado Rapids, while teammate Stephanie Cox also recorded a goal and was dominant on defense in the match. The New Jersey Wildcats’ Yael Averbuch earned a spot with two goals and an assist against the New Jersey Rangers.
North Jersey goalkeeper Katherine Coulter turned in one of the performances of the season thus far to earn her spot, making 13 saves in a 1-0 shutout win against Long Island, one of the league’s top-scoring teams.
W-League Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Katherine Courter | North Jersey | Posted13-save shutout win at Long Island |
| D | Shelley Lyle | Charlotte | Led Eagles’ D to 3 wins in 3 nights, played every minute |
| D | Christie Shaner | Pali | Scored goal, anchored D in shutout win vs. Victoria |
| D | Stephanie Cox | Seattle | Scored goal, dominant vs. Rapids Women |
| M | Leah Fortune | Charlotte | 2 goals, 7 shots in pair of wins vs. VSI Tampa |
| M | Yael Averbuch | NJ Wildcats | 2 goals, assist in 4-1 win vs. Rangers |
| M | Audrey Lagarde | Quebec City | Scored GWG on 25-yard volley vs. Toronto |
| M | Mikaela Howell | DC United | GWG, assist in battle of unbeatens; 5-game point streak |
| F | Lynn Williams | Pali | 4 goals, 2 assists in 3-win week for Blues |
| F | Alex Morgan | Seattle | Goal, assist 8 SOG in 3-0 win vs. Rapids Women |
| F | Melissa Busque | Ottawa | Recorded 2 goals in Ottawa win vs. London |
Honorable Mention: Atlanta – Elizabeth Guess; Charlotte – Leah Fortune; Fredericksburg – Becca Wann; Hamilton – Haillie Price; LA – Autumn Altamirano, Samantha Johnson; Laval – Caroline Beaulne, Catherine Charron-Delage; North Jersey – Ashley Clarke, Kriss Greenwood; Ottawa - Kelly Conheeney; Pali – Sarah Huffman, Anisa Guajardo; Santa Clarita – Taryne Boudreau, Edite Fernandes, Rachel Nuzzolese; Seattle – Keelin Winters; Vancouver – Gurveen Clair; Virginia Beach – Rasheeda Ansari; VSI Tampa – Jennifer Manis;