Metuchen, NJ — The inaugural season of UWS League Two kicked off this past summer in the Sunshine State. Jacksonville FC (7-1-0) finished on top of the table with the highest goal differential (33), while southern Florida-based women’s team, Sunrise Sting (7-1-0) placed second in the Sunshine Conference. There were standout individual performances from across the conference with players from three of the six teams earning a spot on the All-Sunshine Conference First Team.
Sunshine Conference Defensive Player of the Year – D – Danielle Gordon (Jacksonville FC) – At outside back, Gordon helped lead one of the sturdiest defenses in the Sunshine Conference which only conceded 6 goals in 8 games.
Sunshine Conference Offensive Player of the Year – F – Emma Brown (Sunrise Sting) – The England U18 WNT international scored three goals and was a dynamic playmaker for the Sting’s offensive success.
Sunshine Conference Coach of the Year — Morgan Church (Jacksonville FC)
Morgan Church earns Sunshine Conference Coach of the Year honors, having led her side to the conference title with a record 7 wins and 1 loss. Church most recently returned from Russia where she coached the US Women’s Beach National Team and assisted with the USBMNT in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. She currently holds the position as the Girls Technical Director and ECNL Director at Jacksonville FC. Prior to the role with the club, she was a Technical Advisor/Club Development Manager with U.S. Soccer. She worked to identify top talent within the Southeast for our Youth National Teams. She was also tasked with coaching and overseeing the development pathway in some of the top clubs in the country. Her experience also granted her the opportunity to educate and instruct courses throughout the country for various licenses. Church holds a USSF National “A” License, Academy Director License, and Director of Coaching License.
2021 UWS2 All-Sunshine Conference First Team
GK – Paris Banks (Unity FC)
D – Danielle Gordon (Jacksonville FC)
D – Bri Paige (Sunrise Sting)
D – Gabby Moreira (Sunrise Sting)
D – Harlie Ford (Unity FC)
M – Bella Pontieri (Jacksonville FC)
M – Ariana Muñoz (Jacksonville FC)
M – Bryce Brozovich (Unity FC)
M – Chloe Laureno (Sunrise Sting)
F – Izzy Kimberly (Jacksonville FC)
F – Emma Brown (Sunrise Sting)
Honorable Mention
GK – Natalie Bartek (Winter Haven United)
D – Sarah Brunner (Jacksonville FC)
D – Ella Dudley (Jacksonville FC)
D – Lilliana Graves (Sunrise Sting)
M – Olivia Thompson (Sportsparadize)
M – Victoria Bubrick (Sunrise Sting)
