W-League Preview
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – The Atlanta Silverbacks and Charlotte Lady Eagles had long held sway over the W-League’s Southeast Division as they contended for playoff berths during the past seven years. The 2013 season saw somewhat of a change, however, as the Dayton Dutch Lions claimed the division’s regular-season title and the Carolina Elite Cobras advanced to the W-League Championship final four. With the addition of the Gulf Coast Texans this season, the division appears to be set for more strong competition throughout the summer.
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS – After claiming the W-League Championship in 2011, the Silverbacks were edged out of the playoffs by two points again in 2013 as a 3-2 defeat against Dayton in their penultimate game of the season proved decisive. The Silverbacks will be eager to return to the postseason and the experience of Kristin Burton and Alexa Newfield should help, as well as the addition of former NWSL and England youth international goalkeeper Ashley Baker. With the return of 2013 All-League selection and U.S. U20 international Savannah Jordan unlikely, Atlanta needs to find a way to replace her eight goals and 19 points on offense.
CAROLINA ELITE COBRAS – Having made their first postseason appearance, the Cobras return a good nucleus that will try to build on its success in 2013. Last season’s Defender of the Year Blakely Mattern is back to marshal the back four, as is goalkeeper Rose Hull, while former U.S. National Team member India Trotter also returns after scoring a pair of goals last season.
CHARLOTTE LADY EAGLES – The Lady Eagles will look to start a new streak of playoff appearances after a five-year run was snapped last season, and will have returning leading scorer Erin Wingo to lead the club’s attack after she recorded five goals a season ago. A familiar face also returns to the side with Ashley Swinehart set to return after spending last season with Carolina, while Leah Fortune will try to add to her two goals and two assists from a season ago.
DAYTON DUTCH LIONS – The Dutch Lions claimed the regular-season crown behind the goals of Emille Fillion and the assists of Juliana Libertin. Fillion has moved on, turning professional with Dayton’s partner club FC Twente in Holland, but they have added a strong replacement in 2013 Most Valuable Player and scoring champion Shan Jones. Goalkeeper Helena McCurdy is also set to return, as is Alex Warren to help lead the club’s defense.
GULF COAST TEXANS – The newcomer to the division, the Texans will try to build on the success the club has had elsewhere in recent years. Among those to watch are defender Renee Hurd, who claimed a W-20 Championship with the Colorado Rapids Women in 2012, and forward Helen Lynsky, who this past fall was named the NSCAA NAIA Player of the Year after a standout season for Northwood University that saw her finish her career for the Lady Seahawks as the program’s all-time leader in goals (103), assists (55) and points (261).