United Soccer Leagues News Release - www.uslsoccer.com
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced the first W-League Team of the Week of the 2011 season today, with Rashidah Sherman of the New York Magic named the Player of the Week. Sherman, the 2010 W-League Rookie of the Year, picked up where she left off in 2010, surging to the top of the league’s scoring charts with a hat trick in a 3-0 win against the New Jersey Rangers.
Sherman paced by opponents last year with her blistering speed and scored goals in droves with her deadly finishing. She began 2011 by showing she hadn’t lost a step.
“We are still looking for somebody who can stop her,” New York Magic head coach Nino DePasquali said. “From the first touch on the ball she is uncatchable.”
New York’s 3-0 victory in its opener gives the club a fast start in its quest to bring home a division title in 2011. Goalkeeper Aleta Smith also played a big part in the opening Magic victory. Smith did her part to stake claim to the No. 1 goalkeeping spot after making eight saves in the clean-sheet win.
Just down the east coast, the Charlotte Lady Eagles opened their W-League campaign with a victory after a game-winner from forward Christy Rife. Fellow Lady Eagle Blakely Mattern also grabbed Team of the Week honors with solid defensive effort, keeping a clean sheet on the backline.
Megan Tomlinson is another player who maintained her stellar play from 2010 as the midfielder scored a goal in Atlanta’s opening win. Teammate Tiffini Turpin doubled Megan’s tally with two goals in her W-League debut.
The weekend featured plenty of strong midfield play as Vancouver’s Tiffany Weimer started the season off with a two-goal effort against Victoria. Virginia Beach’s Emily Kittleson also showed well in the middle, putting in a strong performance.
Pali saved their victory until late this weekend, but there was hard work on the field all match with Anisa Guarjardo playing well and assisting on the game-winner. Pali teammate Elizabeth Eddy also had a great match in the shutout victory.
Katie Tarrant had a superb game in the debut of the LA Strikers as the fill-in defender excelled in her new position.
| W-League Team of the Week | ||||
| Pos | Name | Team | Highlights | |
| GK | Aleta Smith | New York | 8SV, clean sheet win vs. NJR | |
| D | Elizabeth Eddy | Pali | Clean sheet win, solid 90 min vs. LA | |
| D | Blakely Mattern | Charlotte | Clean sheet win, great play whole match | |
| D | Katie Tarrant | LA | Converted mid, great defensive effort | |
| M | Anisa Guajardo | Pali | A, great match in 1-0 win | |
| M | Tiffany Weimer | Vancouver | 2G in game vs. Victoria | |
| M | Megan Tomlinson | Atlanta | G in win 3-0 win vs Dayton | |
| M | Emily Kittleson | Virginia Beach | Solid performance, controlled midfield play | |
| F | Tiffini Turpin | Atlanta | 2G in W-League debut | |
| F | Rashidah Sherman | New York | 3G in dominating win vs. NJR | |
| F | Christy Rife | Charlotte | GWG and dangerous play vs. VB | |