Metuchen, NJ — Chicago Mustangs have claimed United Women’s Soccer’s ultimate prize.
With a 2-1 victory over Calgary Foothills Sunday at Lusitano Stadium, Chicago Mustangs capped off an undefeated season with a UWS National Championship.
The achievement comes in the club’s second season as UWS members.
Despite the outcome, it was Calgary Foothills who began the scoring in Sunday’s title game, taking advantage of a set-piece situation in the 36th minute. Jayden Berg’s floated corner kick toward the far post was perfectly placed, and Saorla Miller plucked it out of the air with her right foot and directed into the back of the net for a 1-0 Calgary Foothills advantage.
Crucially, Chicago Mustangs ensured their deficit didn’t last long. A cross from the left flank found Nina Nicosia, who expertly nudged it between two defenders for the onrushing Julia Simon to fire home shortly before the halftime whistle.
That marked Simon’s 12th goal of the season, tying her with Nicosia at the top of the UWS leaderboard
The championship-deciding goal came in the 50th minute, with substitute Ainsley Ahmadian providing the golden finish. Her floated strike from the right wing found its way into the left corner of the net, putting Chicago Mustangs up 2-1 on the afternoon.
From there, the Chicago Mustangs’ back line went to work, keeping the opposition attack at arm’s length for most of the remaining time as the Central Conference representatives secured their title.
It was a fitting conclusion to an outstanding season for Chicago Mustangs, who ran a gauntlet of five playoff games in order to get their hands on the trophy.
They scored 73 goals in 13 games on their path to the title, with Simon and Nicosia sharing the honors as the league’s top goalscorers with 12 apiece.
Chicago Mustangs overcame worthy opponents in the title game in Calgary Foothills, who saw their perfect season snapped one step short of the finish line in what was an outstanding 2022 campaign for the Canadian club.
Watch the full game at ELEVEN Sports.
Order your Championship gear HERE.
