METUCHEN, NJ — The individual performances fit the occasion as United Women’s Soccer opened its 2022 slate. Kacey Lawrence claimed Offensive Player of the Week honors by scoring three goals and assisting another in a Connecticut Fusion win. Seulgi Lee proved a vital anchor to FC Wichita’s defense, helping her club keep a clean sheet and earning Defensive Player of the Week plaudits. In goal, Morgan Bertsch exhibited outstanding quality, making several crucial stops for FC Austin Elite to earn Goalkeeper of the Week honors.
GK – Morgan Bertsch (FC Austin Elite) – In an acrobatic display that included several saves at full-stretch, Morgan Bertsch powered FC Austin to a 2-1 victory over Luxoria FC.
D – Sarai Costello (NE Mutiny) – NE Mutiny needed a stout defensive performance to earn three points against Scorpions SC, and Sarai Costello provided exactly that with her strength and composure at the back.
D – Seulgi Lee (FC Wichita) – Seulgi Lee was vital at both ends of the pitch for FC Wichita in a win over Side FC, leading the back line to a clean sheet and contributing an assist to the attack.
D – Abby Small (KC Courage) – KC Courage posted a shutout to claim a 1-0 win over Sporting Nebraska, and Abby Small’s effort loomed large. The defender was everpresent for the hosts as they began their season on the right note.
M – Courtney Claassen (KC Courage) – Courtney Claassen showcased her technique and her clutch gene, scoring the only goal in KC Courage’s 1-0 victory over Sporting Nebraska.
M – Kacey Lawrence (Connecticut Fusion) – Finishing as a UWS National Runner-up last season, Kacey Lawrence was back with a vengeance in her first match of 2022, racking up three goals and an assist in a victory.
F – Regan Dancer (Corktown Hawks) – Regan Dancer was prolific in her 2022 debut, scoring a hat trick and facilitating another goal in a victory over Michigan Jaguars.
F – Tori Sousa (Connecticut Fusion) – Tori Sousa began her season strong, finding the back of the net twice as she went the distance against Worcester Smiles.
F – Jenna Blackburn (Nationals FC) – Nationals FC’s UWS debut became even more remarkable, as Jenna Blackburn fired home a hat trick to announce her arrival to the league.
F – Ryann Hierholzer (FC Austin Elite) – Ryann Hierholzer utilized the dynamic combination of speed and skill to get off the mark for FC Austin this season.
F – Zoie Allen (NE Mutiny) – Ever the playmaker, Zoie Austin found herself at the center of all NE Mutiny’s playmaking efforts, assisting on the lone goal of Mutiny’s season-opening win.