LOS ANGELES RAMPAGE finished its first six games of WPSL play leading the Pacific South, and undefeated after two 3-0 wins in Sonoma, and Walnut Creek. Rampage's defense is getting increasingly tougher to beat as the team has now registered 3 straight shut-outs and the shots against average has gotten lower as well.
Offensively, the team has become more dangerous and the goal for average has also increased.
The team's performances have not gone unnoticed by the league as there have been Rampage players in the WPSL's Team of the week every week since the beginning of league. The following are the players that have been honored by the league over the first 3 weeks of play:
Week #1
GK Nakisha Gutierrez (LOS ANGELES RAMPAGE) - WPSL CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gutierrez registered nine (9) saves at Ajax (with three of them occurring in 1v1 situations) in the 2-1 win on May 24th, and earned the Defensive MVP for the game as she was the best and most consistent player on the field. In the second game of the weekend in the 1-1 draw at San Diego, the former H.S. All-America and First Team All-Sierra League honoree registered four saves. Two positive results against the Best of the West.
MF/D Susie Mischenko (LOS ANGELES RAMPAGE)
Mischenko was instrumental playing as a defensive midfielder in LA's remarkable 2-1 win over 2007 WPSL Finalist & U.S. Open Cup champion Ajax America on May 24th, doing a great job winning the ball in midfield and providing transition. Against the Sealions on May 25th, Mischenko lead the team as a central defender and kept the shots against to five for the match in a 1-1 draw.
Honorable Mention - F Marihelen Tomer (LOS ANGELES RAMPAGE) - Tomer had five shots in her first game for LA in the upset over Ajax, as she scored the first goal of the game and assisted on the winning goal.
Week #2
MF Salma Tarik (LOS ANGELES RAMPAGE)
The CSU-Northridge & Egyptian Women's National Team maestro has arguably been one of the most creative players on the first place Pacific-South Division side this season and versus the Claremont Stars, Tarik was responsible for the play that led to the game-winning goal. After beating two defenders and penetrating into the goal box, a defender pulled Tarik down from behind, forcing the referee to blow the whistle for a penalty kick in the 60th minute.
Week#3
MF Ana Coria (LOS ANGELES RAMPAGE)
Not to be out-done by the East teams, the lone remaining undefeated side in the Pacific Conference needed the goal and assist performance from Coria over the weekend to help maintain that status. Coria's creative style and unpredictability were too much for their Pacific-North adversaries, as she was constantly creating havoc in the opposing defenses' with her dribbling ability and penetrating passes.
Honorable Mention - D Nalena Betancourt (LOS ANGELES RAMPAGE) - Betancourt has embraced a leadership role this season for L.A. in which she organizes the defense and provides cover when there is a breakdown. Her dominance this past weekend led to the Walnut Creek Power registering only four shots in the whole match, and with three of them coming in the first half.