Odenyo, Young Earn Team of the Week Honors
Young earns USL honors
Robyn McNeil
Yolanda Odenyo and Bonnie Young have earned W-League Team of the Week honors after leading Jersey Sky Blue to a 1-0 victory over the Boston Renegades on Saturday in the season opener, United Soccer Leagues announced today.
Former Sky Blue player Casey Nogueira was named the W-League Player of the Week after guiding the Carolina Railhawks to a 2-0 victory over the Carolina Dynamo in the franchise's first-ever game with a goal and an assist. Boston's Ella Stephan also earned a Team of the Week honors for her efforts in holding the Sky Blue offense to just one goal.
Also propelling her way on to the team of the week was goalkeeper Shannon Aitken who helped get the Bradenton Athletics off to a positive start with a 1-0 victory of Tampa Bay. Aitken recorded ten saves and her first shut out of the season in keeping a unrelenting Hellenic attack scoreless for 90 minutes.
Youngster Mariella Romano impressively makes this team after a courageous performance in New York’s 2-2 draw against Connecticut. Romano, only a senior in high school, played great throughout the game and proved that she belong in this elite league.
“Mariella left her heart on the field,” said New York Magic President Lyndelle Phillips. “I was very impressed with her effort.”
Sarah Steinmann had an MVP like performance in helping the Atlanta Silverbacks get their season off to a great start with a 3-1 victory over Hampton Roads Piranhas. Steinmann tallied two goals and set up an offensive showdown when her Silverbacks will travel to Carolina and face current player of the week Casey Nogueira.
Jersey Sky Blue returns to action on Saturday when the team travels to New Haven, CT to face the Connecticut Passion at 7 p.m. in that franchise's first-ever home match. Sky Blue will open its home slate on May 31 when it hosts the Renegades at 7:30 p.m. at Drew University in Madison, NJ.
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W-League Team of the Week - Week 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Name | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Shannon Aitken | Bradenton | 10 Saves & SO in 1-0 win at Tampa Bay |
| D | Ella Stephan | Boston | Best Renegade defender in a 1-0 loss to Jersey |
| D | Mariella Romano | New York | Top defensive player in a 2-2 draw against Connecticut |
| D | Bonnie Young | Jersey | Denied numerous late-game opportunities in 1-0 win |
| M | Colette McCallum | Pali | 2 goals in 5-0 win at Ventura |
| M | Lori Lindsay | Washington | 2 assists in 3-1 win at Long Island |
| M | Yolanda Odenyo | Jersey | Only goal in 1-0 win at Boston |
| M | Tina Murphy | Charlottle | 1 goal, 1 assist in 3-0 win over West Virginia |
| F | Casey Nogueira | Carolina | 1 goal, 1 assist in 2-0 win against Carolina Dynamo |
| F | Fortuna Velaj | Connecticut | Both goals in a 2-2 draw at New York |
| F | Sarah Steinmann | Atlanta | 2 goals in 3-1 win over Hampton Roads |