Women’s Premier Soccer League wrap up

In Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) action, Brandi Chastain and the California Storm opened conference play with a tie against Bay Area Breeze and a win over the San Francisco Nighthawks. Elsewhere in the WPSL, two new teams thrilled Puget Sound soccer fans by winning their opening matches over the weekend. Issaquah SC and Emerald City FC both posted shutout wins over traveling Eugene Metro FC Azulfrom Oregon.

On Friday, May 25, Issaquah SC won their Northwest Division home opener against Eugene Metro by a 3-0 score. Goals by Western Washington University standout Joana Houplin (1) and Trinidad & Tobago Women’s National Team member Kennya Cordner (2) were all Issaquah would need to put their first game in the Win column. Then on Saturday, May 26, Eugene Metro fell victim to goals by Megan Chapin (Western Washington University) and Taylor Culver (College of Idaho) as Emerald City put their first win in the books. In the final Northwest Division match of the weekend, Portland Rain drowned out Oregon Rush 2-1 in Portland on Friday night.

On Saturday night the California Storm, featuring former U.S. Women’s National Team defender Brandi Chastain, former Brazil Women’s National Team member Sissi, and former Stanford Cardinal Teresa Noyola, played the Breeze to a 1-1 draw on the strength of a goal by Katie Oakes, assisted by Traci Hamm. On Sunday the Storm defeated the Nighthawks 3-1 to take a three point lead in the Pacific-North Division.

In the Big Sky-North Division Salt Lake United slipped past the Utah Starzz 1-0 to celebrate their home opener on Saturday. The Big Sky-South Division saw more action with the American Eagles Soccer Club spoiling the Fort Worth Panthers’ Friday night home opener on a 2-1 score. On Saturday Houston South Select defeated Texas Football Club (TFC) 2-0 in Allen, Texas. Finally on Sunday TFC turned the tables as they defeated the Panthers 2-1 in Fort Worth.

In the opening match of North East Atlantic-North Division play, Seacoast United Phantoms won their home opener, defeating the Seacoast United Mariners by a 3-0 margin on Wednesday, May 23. In the North East Atlantic-South Division FC Bucks took a 3-2 home opener win over Penn Legacy Inferno, also on Wednesday.

In Southeast Division action, Mississippi Fuego FC opened their home season with a 3-1 win over Knoxville Lady Force on Friday. The Lady Force also played a follow-up match against the Mississippi Fuego FC U23 team, but scores were not reported in that game.

[ + Click here for complete 2012 WPSL Standings ]

Schedule for the Week of May 28

Several WPSL teams will kick off their 2012 seasons this week. The San Diego SeaLions will celebrate their June 3 home opener against Ajax American Women with a special guest. U.S. Women’s National Team defender and former SeaLion and San Diego Surf star Rachel Buehler will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.

“I’m so thrilled to have former SeaLion and USWNT player Rachel Buehler at our game this Sunday,” said SeaLions General Manager Amie Becker. “It shows our fans that we truly are the team to watch. You just never know which SeaLion will be the next member of the Women’s National Team.”

Elsewhere in the WPSL:

Tuesday, May 29
United FC Binghamton at Empire United (North East Atlantic-Mid)

Wednesday, May 30
Indiana United at Fort Wayne F.C. (Midwest)
New England Mutiny Reserves at Seacoast United Mariners (North East Atlantic-North Division)
Seacoast United Phantoms at CFC Passion (North East Atlantic-North)

Thursday, May 31
FC Bucks at United FC Binghamton (North East Atlantic-Mid)

Friday, June 1
Portland Rain at Issaquah SC (Northwest)
Spokane Shine at Eugene Metro FC Azul (Northwest)
FC Dallas at FC Austin (Big Sky-South)
Fort Worth Panthers at Tulsa Spirit (Big Sky-South)
New York Athletic Club at Millburn Magic (North East Atlantic-Mid)

Saturday, June 2
Portland Rain at Emerald City FC (Northwest)
Spokane Shine at Oregon Rush (Northwest)
West Coast Wildkatz at North Bay FC Wave (Pacific-North)
Bay Area Breeze at San Francisco Nighthawks (Pacific-North)
San Diego SeaLions at LA Vikings (Pacific-South)
Salt Lake United at FC St. George (Big Sky-North)
Tulsa Spirit at Arkansas Comets (Big Sky-South)
Houston Aces at TFC (Big Sky-South)
Houston South Select at Oklahoma Football Club (Big Sky-South)
Fort Wayne F.C. at Ohio Premier Women’s SC (Midwest)
FC Milwaukee Nationals at Quad City Eagles (Midwest)
Tidewater Sharks at FC Bucks (North East Atlantic-South)
Tampa Bay Hellenic at Clermont Phoenix (Sunshine)

Sunday, June 3
Central California HEAT at Bay Area Breeze (Pacific-North)
California Storm at West Coast Wildkatz (Pacific-North)
Ajax America Women at San Diego SeaLions (Pacific-South)
Houston South Select at FC Dallas (Big Sky-South)
Houston Aces at FC Austin (Big Sky-South)
Oklahoma Football Club at Arkansas Comets (Big Sky-South)
New England Mutiny Reserves at Aztec MA (North East Atlantic-North)
Maryland Capitols FC at FCW Elite (North East Atlantic-Mid)
Tidewater Sharks at Penn Legacy Inferno (North East Atlantic-South)
BuxMont Torch FC at FC Bucks (North East Atlantic-South)
Maryland Capitols FC at FCW Elite (North East Atlantic-South)
Florida Sol FC at Tampa Bay Hellenic (Sunshine)

Monday, June 4
Phoenix Del Sol at FC St. George (Big Sky-North)

Tuesday, June 5
Phoenix U23 at FC St. George (Big Sky-North)