W-League News Release
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced its Team of the Week for Week 3 of the 2013 season today, honoring Colorado Rapids Women midfielder Erin Gunther as Player of the Week after she led the Rapids to a 3-2 victory against their rival the Colorado Rush.
Gunther, a 2011 graduate of Creighton University and a three-year member of the Rapids, was a dominant force in the midfield in the back-and-forth match, playing a part in all three Rapids goals and scoring a highlight-reel goal of her own in the 3-2 victory. Gunther edged out New Jersey Wildcats forward Jessica Fuccello, who tallied two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win vs. North Jersey. Atlanta’s Rachel Garcia earned the other forward slot after her goal against VSI Tampa Bay.
Marissa Mykines of the Bay Area Breeze earned a midfield spot on the Team of the Week after scoring the historic first goal in team history as the Breeze defeated Santa Clarita 1-0 in their opener. Also in the midfield are VSI Tampa Bay’s Stacy Bishop, who scored a late equalizer at Atlanta, and Dayton’s Kelly DeNiro, who tallied the game-winner as the Dutch Lions knocked off Charlotte.
Carolina Elite’s Blakely Mattern leads the defense after scoring the game-winning goal against VSI Tampa Bay on Sunday, and she is joined by a trio that helped their teams to shutout victories – Laval’s Kathryn Acton, Ottawa’s Caylee Milne and Dayton’s Alexandra Warren.
Rounding out the team is New York Magic goalkeeper Charlotte McCormick, who made four saves as New York earned an impressive 2-0 victory against Northeastern Conference rival Long Island.
W-League Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Charlotte McCormick | New York | Recorded 4-save shutout vs. Long Island |
| D | Kathryn Acton | Laval | Led defense in shutout win and 1-1 draw |
| D | Blakely Mattern | Carolina Elite | Scored GWG vs. VSI Tampa in 83rd minute |
| D | Caylee Milne | Ottawa | Led Fury to shutout win vs. Quebec City |
| D | Alexandra Warren | Dayton | Anchored defense that shut out Charlotte |
| M | Stacy Bishop | VSI Tampa Bay | Scored late equalizer at Atlanta |
| M | Kelly DeNiro | Dayton | GWG in huge win vs. Charlotte |
| M | Erin Gunther | Rapids | Led Rapids in win vs. Rush, scored highlight-reel goal |
| M | Marissa Mykines | Bay Area | Scored only goal in first franchise win |
| F | Jessica Fuccello | New Jersey | 2 goals, assist vs. North Jersey |
| F | Rachel Garcia | Atlanta | Goal, game-high 5 SOG vs. VSI Tampa Bay |
Honorable Mention – Bay Area – Danielle Johnson, Brandi Vega; Carolina Elite – Rose Hull; Colorado Rush – Danica Evans; Dayton – Helena McCurdy; K-W United – Anne Houliston; Laval – Kylie Davis, Genevieve Richard, Sarah Robbins; London – Chantelle Campbell; New Jersey – Daija Griffin, Claudia Vazquez; New York – Lorena Maggio; Ottawa – Emily Gielnik, Jasmine Phillips; Toronto – Furtuna Velaj; VSI Tampa Bay – Karina Gutsche.