Two-Goal Game Earns O'Brien Honorable Mention

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Jessica Salvi was named the W-League Player of the Week by United Soccer Leagues. Salvi rose to the top of her game in a must win situation and executed a seven save shutout performance in an exciting 1-0 victory over Real Colorado to sneak Seattle into the playoffs. Going into the weekend the Cougars looked to be in strong position to claim the third playoff spot in the Western Conference. They had a two point lead over Seattle and a game in hand over the sprinting Sounders. A lot of things needed to go Seattle’s way to sneak into the playoffs and it started Friday night when Salvi put up a brick wall in front of the Sounders goal and did not allow a shot passed her.

Following the 1-0 victory, Seattle leapfrogged Real Colorado into third place by a point, but still had to sweat it out as the Cougars had another game on Sunday and could nab that last playoff spot. However, Vancouver helped their neighbors to the south by defeating Real Colorado and thus sending Seattle to the playoffs where they will meet the team that helped them advance, Vancouver, for the right to go to the W-League final four in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Ottawa forward Jodie Taylor found the back of the net a remarkable six times over the weekend to clinch the Northern Division for the Fury. Ottawa finished the season with a 13-1 record and were five points clear of second place Toronto. The Fury will take on the Chicago Gaels in the Conference semifinals and are just two wins away from joining the elite at Virginia Beach.

With four teams battling it out for the final two playoff spots in the Northeast Division, Long Island Forward Kerri McCabe put the team on her back and scored three goals in a win over the New Jersey Wildcats that sent the Rough Riders into the playoffs. With the Boston Renegades, Jersey Sky Blue, and Connecticut Passion all dreaming of the playoffs, the Rough Riders needed a decisive victory to cement their claim to the 2008 playoffs. McCabe took that challenge head on and her offensive explosion helped Long Island clinch the second playoff spot from the Northeast Division. Long Island will take on division rival Boston in the first round of the W-League playoffs.

The upset of the week was turned in by the Rochester Rhinos who ended Toronto’s hope of a Northern Division title by defeating the Lady Lynx 2-1 on Sunday. Leading the way for the Rhinos was midfielder Natalie Martineau who scored a goal and drew the game-winning penalty kick to defeat her former team. Rochester finished with a 6-6-2 record in the Northern Division and was just one spot short of reaching the playoffs.

Cleveland Internationals midfielder Courtney Rosen scored one goal and added two assists in a 4-2 victory over Minnesota, which officially ended any playoff hopes for the Lightning. Rosen controlled the tempo of the game from the opening whistle and contributed both offensively and defensively in the victory. Cleveland closed out the season on a four-game unbeaten streak and finished in the top half of the Midwest Division standings with a record of 8-4-2.