News

POTW: Regional Honors Matchweek Seven

Published Jun 25, 2025

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Emma Torres
Midfielder, Austin Rise FC
Freshman, Texas Tech
1 game | 70 min | 1 goal

Austin Rise FC rode into Matchweek Seven outscoring opponents 12 to two on the backs of six wins and a draw. In its second game of the week, Austin would again face the only team to give it its 1-1 blemish on the season thus far.

After going down 1-0 in the opening minutes, the pressure increased for the Rise at the 80’min with its first loss on the horizon. That is until midfielder Emma Torres of Texas Tech stepped up in a big way to put Austin back in the game with a 84’ equalizer.

Torres will start her freshman season as a Red Raider this Fall with Texas Texas. The Austin native was named Utility Player of the Year for the 2022-24 seasons and First Team All-District during 21-22.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Emily Tobin
Defender, Peoria City
Junior, University of Kansas
1 game | 1 assist | 90 min

Emily Tobin of the University of Kansas led Peoria City to its fifth win in seven games and secured its fourth shutout of the season in Matchweek Seven. Tobin held the backline strong for 90min and assisted on the opening goal that gave Peoria City the go-ahead lead in the 16’.

“Emily is certainly a game changer. Her presence, defensive tackles, and ability to get into the attack set her apart,” Hailey Parungoa, Peoria City general manager and technical director, said. “She has a way to always beat her opponent down the line and always serve balls into the box. We are very fortunate to have a player like Emily.”

Tobin started 14 of the 17 games she played for the Jayhawks in 2024, recording over 600 minutes on the season, and scored against Arizona in Kansas’ 4-1 win.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Amalia Cardo
Forward, Clarkstown Soccer Club
Sophomore, Villanova
1 game | 1 goal | Game Winner | 70min

Clarkstown Soccer Club had the cards stacked against it after going down a player in the 78’ with the score locked in 1-1 and its second draw of the season becoming more probable.The tie would hold through regulation and with extra time winding down, Amalia Cardo connected a side volley to lift Clarkstown to the 2-1 victory.

“Amalia’s work rate, especially when we went man down, was exceptional and made it feel like we weren’t even playing man down,” Danny Samimi, Clarkstown Soccer Club head coach, said.

Cardo made five appearances in the 2024 collegiate season with Villanova as a freshman and recorded four shots and 166 minutes of play. Cardo was invited to the U-18 Portugal Women’s National Team training camp in 2024.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Celeste Sloma
Goalkeeper, Columbus Eagles FC
Senior, Ohio University
1 shutout | 6 saves | No.9 opp

Celeste Sloma not only led Columbus Eagles FC to its fourth-straight shutout victory, but also secured the must-win in the Great River Division title race. The Eagles faced the No. 9 team in the East Region in the second meeting of the two sides from the first game of the season where Columbus came away on top.

Since that first game, Dayton went on to outscore its opponents nine to three leading into this return match, averaging 2.25 goals a game. Sloma made six saves to keep Dayton off the scoreboard and clinch the division title to keep the Eagles undefeated.

Sloma started all 20 games for the Bobcats in Ohio University’s 2024 NCAA season and recorded over 1700 minutes. The Columbus native recorded 60 saves on the season, only allowing 11 goals for a 0.599 goals against average where she led the Bobcats to 10 shutouts.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jalen Haas
Midfielder, Seminole Ice
Junior, University of Tampa
70 min | 2 goals | 1 assist

Jalen Haas lifted Seminole Ice to its third win on the season after a tough loss in Matchweek Six by contributing to all three of goals scored in the 3-2 victory.

Haas got Seminole on the board early with a goal in the 9’. In the second half, the University of Tampa midfielder doubled the Ice’s lead with a goal in the 67’ to make it 2-1 then added an assist two minutes later.

The Orlando native will begin her career with the University of Tampa this Fall after two seasons with the University of Central Florida. In the two seasons with UCF, Haas played in 13 games, recording over 100 minutes of action.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jazmin Ferguson
Defender, DECATUR FC
Senior, LSU
1 game | 1 goal | 80 min

Jazmin Ferguson secured DECATUR FC’s sixth win after doubling its lead just before half with a header in stoppage time.

“Jaz was at her best on Friday, winning every header in the defensive part of the field,” DECATUR FC head coach, said. “She scored the important 2nd goal off a header that added to the lead Decatur FC needed.”

Ferguson transferred to Louisiana State for the 2024 season from East Carolina University where she started in all 20 games played, scoring two goals for the Tigers and recording 1550 minutes played.

No Nominations were submitted for Defensive POTW

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Farrah Walters
Forward, SC del Sol

Senior, Duke University
2 games | 6 goals | 4 assists

Farrah Walters led SC del Sol to two big wins in Matchweek Seven where she contributed to 10 of the 13 total goals del Sol scored on the week.

In the first match of the week, after recording two assists in the first half, Walters scored a second-half hat trick to propel del Sol to improve its winning streak to three games. In the second match, Walters recorded another hat trick and two assists in del Sol’s biggest win of the season.

In the 2024 collegiate season, Walters started in 15 of the 18 matches played for the Duke Blue Devils, scoring three goals and three assists. The junior helped Duke to its fourth ACC regular season title and a berth in the NCAAW College Cup. Walters will start her senior season this Fall. Additionally, the Scottsdale native played for both the U-15 and U-20 U.S. Women’s National Teams.