MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group
CELL PHONE: (248) 884-1051
BUSINESS LINE: (248) 525-2349
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
BUFFALO, N.Y. – There is a new champion in the United Women’s Soccer National Tournament. The New England Mutiny made sure of that Friday night.
The Mutiny upended defending national champion Michigan Jaguars 5-0 Friday night at Buffalo Robert Rich Senior High School All-High Stadium to end the Michigan side’s reign on top.
The Jaguars, who in their three seasons in the 40-team league, have compiled a combined 17-5-4 record. Michigan could not keep up the Mutiny spreading goals all around this time around.
The Jaguars (8-1-1) did not have all of their top players this time around and succumbed to the New England team’s explosive offense.
The Mutiny’s scoring barrage began with the eventual game-winner Abbey Jones, followed by single goals from Chioma Okafor, Alexis Legowski, and a brace from Hope Santaniello to end the scoring. The Mutiny’s defense, anchored by Carson, Marchini, Breton, and Lewis, held firm, earning a well-deserved shutout and propelling the team to their first final in UWS history as founding members. Okafor now has a team-leading seven goals on the season.
The Michigan Jaguars, which captured another Midwest Conference title this summer, carried a large roster of around 32 players and some rotated between the A-team and B-team. Several of the team’s top players were unavailable for the UWS Final Four, as they were called back to their respective university or shut down for the remainder of the summer or at least until NCAA and NAIA college soccer begins in August. Some incoming college freshmen on the roster also had to report to their university.
In 2023, the Michigan Jaguars defeated Sporting CT (4-2) in the semifinals and Santa Clarita Blue Heat (1-0) in the finals in a game that ventured into a shootout (4-2 penalties).
Santa Clarita Blue Heat defeated the New England Mutiny in this year’s national finals, earning a 3-2 victory in a game where the Blue Heat prevailed 6-5 in a sudden-death shootout.
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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