United Soccer Leagues announced today the W-League Team of the Week for the ninth week of the USL season and the sixth edition of the W-League Team of the Week for the year, honoring Northern Virginia Goalkeeper Kate Milstead as Player of the Week.

Milstead was simply dominant in preserving a 1-1 tie in Washington against the Freedom. Time and time again, Milstead equaled the constant pressure thrown at her by the defending W-League Champions. Her efforts (23 saves) secured a point for the Majestics against one of the more formidable teams in the league.

 

The Northern Virginia Majestics have twice earned Player of the Week honors in their ten year W-League history.   Jenn Gross first captured the honor in 2000 and current Majestic veteran Ashley Banks won Player of the Week in her Northern Virginia debut in 2004.  The eighteen year old Banks subbed into a match late, with Northern Virginia down 2-0 against Richmond.  Banks scored two goals and an assist in a four-minute span to propel the Majestics past the Kickers and earn the league honor.

 

The Majestics have only had one other goalkeeper to previously earn weekly league honors.  In 2001, Northern Virginia’s Riki-Ann Serrins was named to the Team of the Week for stopping a penalty kick in injury time against the South Jersey Banshees.  Despite never claiming the Player of the Week title, Serrins went on to capture W-League Goalkeeper of the Year at the end of the 2001 season.

A huge factor for her side, Amanda Cinalli also had a huge weekend for the Cleveland Internationals. Cinalli led the Internationals to a 4-0 win over Kalamazoo and a 2-1 victory over the Michigan Hawks. She tallied two goals and added one assist to give Cleveland momentum heading into a midweek showdown with Indiana, the only team to defeat the Internationals this season.

Domenique Esposito scored two goals for Jersey Sky Blue in their 2-1 win over the New Jersey Wildcats. Jersey Sky Blue now hits the road for a four game road trip.

United States International star Tiffeny Milbrett finally got onto the score sheet as she tallied two goals and added one assist for Vancouver in their 3-1 win over Ventura County. Vancouver next plays at home on June 22 against the first place Pali Blues. Pali is the only team to knock off the Whitecaps this season.

Jennifer Anderson-Hammond scored the game winning goal for the Chicago Gaels in a 1-0 victory over Fort Wayne. She also controlled the backline from her defensive position and helped the Gaels pick up their second win of the season.