Utah United women are playoff-bound in 1st USL W League campaign
The first season in USL W League has been a good one for the only W League side from the Beehive State.
By: Utah United media services
Utah United wrapped up its first regular season in the USL W League’s Mountain division with a division title and a 3-1 win over Albion SC Colorado last Saturday.
The club got goals from leading scorer Seven Castain — the TCU striker from Draper’s 17th of the season — as well as Kennedy Heavrin and Lily Boyden, who was named Player of the Match in the regular-season finale.
But there’s little rest for the champs.
United (9-1) will open the USL W League playoffs Friday against FC Olympia (5 p.m. MDT) at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, California, where Stockton Cargo SC are hosts of a pair of Western Conference semifinals.
“We are excited to finish the regular season with a win,” Utah United head coach Scott Halasz said. “Now our attention turns to the next phase of our season. We look forward to challenging ourselves against the best the west coast has to offer.”
Utah United open the season outscoring opponents 21-0 before conceding its first goal in a 4-1 win over last year’s national runner-up Colorado Storm. In all, the expansion side scored a league-high 61 goals while allowing just five goals against from a back line anchored by former Utah State standout and Layton native Kaitlyn Richins, who logged more than 700 minutes at center back.
Olympia (7-2-1) are now slouches, either. The Northwest division champs clinched a playoff berth for the third consecutive season, giving the side crucial experience led by striker Ginny Lackey (10 goals) and goalkeeper Faith Nguyen against a West field of three first-time postseason teams.
All matches will be streamed live on Sportsengine Play.
USL W League: Western Conference semifinals
Friday, July 4 (at St. Mary’s High School; Stockton, Calif.)
Utah United vs. FC Olympia, 5 p.m. MDT
Stockton Cargo SC vs. Santa Clarita Blue Heat FC, 8 p.m. MDT