TAMPA, Fla. (Courtesy USL) – The W-League announced its Team of the Week for the final week of the 2012 season today, honoring Long Island Rough Riders goalkeeper Lauren Ferris as Player of the Week after she posted 10 saves in a 1-0 victory against the North Jersey Valkyries Saturday. Ferris’ performance gave her team the Northeast Division title and a spot in this weekend’s Eastern Conference Championship despite being outshot 15-6 by the Valkyries.

Joining Ferris on the Team of the Week is teammate Grace Hawkins, who cemented her place as the 2012 W-League Scoring Champion and Goal Scoring Champion by tallying the lone goal vs. North Jersey.  Also producing key performances with their postseasons on the line were Charlotte midfielder Michelle Moll, who scored the goal that won the Southeast Division title and eliminated defending champion Atlanta, and Lady Eagles defender Sabbath McKiernan-Allen, who was credited with leading the defense against the Silverbacks.

Virginia Beach midfielder Emily Kittleson produced heroics of her own, scoring the game-winning goal from distance as the Piranhas defeated FASA to claim the second Atlantic Division playoff spot. Quebec City forward Imen Trodi made sure her team enters the Central Conference playoffs on a roll after scoring both of her team’s goals in a 2-1 win vs. Rochester and following up with the lone goal as the Amiral ended Ottawa’s 30-game undefeated streak at home.

The W-League playoffs kick off Saturday with the Central Conference and Eastern Conference Semifinals, followed by the three conference championship games on Sunday to determine the teams that will join the host Ottawa Fury at the 2012 W-League Championship Presented by Umbro July 27-29.  

W-League Team of the Week  

Pos	Player	Team	Highlights
GK	Lauren Ferris	Long Island	Made 10 saves in 1-0 shutout vs. North Jersey to win division title
D	Brooke Spence	Colorado Rapids	GWG, led defense to shutout in 1-0 win vs. Vancouver
D	Sabbath McKiernan-Allen	Charlotte	Led Charlotte D that shut down defending league champs Atlanta
D	Erin Gunther	Colorado Rapids	Goal and assist, dominated game in 3-3 tie vs. Rush
M	Andie Lakin	NJ Wildcats	Tallied Goal, 3 assists vs. NJ Rangers
M	Michelle Moll	Charlotte	Scored lone goal as Charlotte beat Atlanta 1-0 to win SE Division
M	Emily Kittleson	Virginia Beach	Scored GWG from distance to propel Piranhas into playoffs vs. FASA
F	Grace Hawkins	Long Island	Scored GWG in 1-0 division-clinching win vs. North Jersey
F	Imen Trodi	Quebec City	Scored both in 2-1 win vs. Rochester; GWG in upset at Ottawa
F	Michelle Wycinsky	Fredericksburg	Goal, 2 assists in 5-0 win vs. Dayton; Goal, assist vs. Northern Virginia
F	Edite Fernandes	Santa Clarita	Recorded hat-trick in season-ending 4-1 win vs. LA

Honorable Mention: Central SC – Krystyna Freda; Colorado Rapids – Jaucelyn Richter, Lauren Robertson; Colorado Rush – Danica Evans; Megan McCain; D.C. United – Lianne Sanderson; Hamilton FC – Gisenia Utreras; Laval - Amandine Pierre Louis; NJ Wildcats – Rachel Ivanicki, Kristen Edmonds; New York – Brittany Pfaff; Northern Virginia – Ashley Pfaff; Pali – Servet Uzunlar; Seattle – Lyndsay Patterson, Alexandra Beahan

W-League
The W-League is the first and longest-standing women’s soccer league in North America, featuring the highest level of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. With emphasis on quality ownership, retention, league standards and player development, the W-League is the strongest, most sophisticated and best organized women’s league on and off the field. The 2012 W-League campaign features 30 teams in three regional conferences playing 12-14 regular season matches. In addition to the league’s international and professional stars, elite amateur players have the opportunity to compete in the W-League while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for female players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans throughout North America.