DiPaolo Earns Spot on W-League Team of the Week

DiPaolo will be in action this Saturday when Sky Blue returns to action for the first time in 11 days. Sky Blue will take on the Connecticut Passion at 5 p.m. at Drew University's Ranger Stadium before travelling to face the New York Magic on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Iona College.

United Soccer League tabbed Chicago Gaels defender Jennifer Anderson-Hammond as the W-League Player of the Week. Anderson-Hammond had a huge week, helping Chicago leapfrog Minnesota into second place in the Midwest Division. She scored two goals from her defensive position and helped anchor a defense that recorded two shutouts. On the season the Gaels have only allowed six goals in eight games and Chicago is counting on that strong defense to get them into the playoffs. In order for that to happen they must stay in front of the Minnesota Lightning and will have a chance to do that first hand when they host the Lightning on Thursday, July 10.

In Atlanta, Sarah Steinmann continued her amazing season by scoring three goals in the Silverbacks’ 4-0 victory over Bradenton. Those goals bumped Steinmann’s league leading total to 17, eight more than Laura Del Rio of FC Indiana who is in second. Along with Steinmann’s impressive play this season, the Silverbacks have been perfect, boasting an undefeated 10-0-0 record. Atlanta will be fighting for the league’s top spot and the automatic bye into the semi-finals that goes along with it when they hit the road for the Florida swing against Bradenton and Tampa Bay this weekend.

Ottawa defender Anna Caniglia helped the Fury stay in good playoff position with two important wins over Hamilton and London. Caniglia scored a goal and added an assist over the course of the week while playing strong defense to secure six points for Ottawa. The victories by the Fury created a log jam at the top of the Northern Division with three teams vying for the division title. The Toronto Lady Lynx currently hold the top spot with 22 points, but Ottawa and the Laval Comets both have a game in hand and only trail the Lady Lynx by one point. Ottawa and Laval will meet twice before the regular season ends, on July 4 in Laval and July 16 in Ottawa.

Defender Fatima Leyva kept FC Indiana rolling with another stifling defensive performance in the Lionesses 6-0 win over Fort Wayne. Leyva also had six shots on goal and was the most active player on the field as FC Indiana continues to dominate the Midwest Division. The Lionesses have outscored their opponents by a remarkable 49-3 margin and will be heading into the playoffs as one of the teams to beat.

New York midfielder Noelle Meeke helped the Magic notch their first win of the season by defeating the New Jersey Wildcats 2-1. She scored a goal and controlled the middle of the field as the Magic finally broke through with the victory that had been eluding them all year. New York has been competitive on the season with three draws and two one-goal losses.