Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on April 11, 2023 under Northwest League (NWL)
This past week the National Women's Soccer League awarded an expansion team to the Bay Area of California for the 2024 season, the Delaware Blue Coats won their first NBA G League Championship and Hillsboro Hops manager Ronnie Gajownik won her first game in the Northwest League. Highlights from this week come from National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, NBA G League, Northwest League, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, XFL, Canadian Football League, and National Lacrosse League.
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
The National Women's Soccer League today announced it has awarded expansion rights for team #14 to an investment group representing the Bay Area, California. Northern California has been a key generator of women's soccer talent throughout the history of the sport, and the Bay Area is a top-ten media market known for its diverse culture and vibrant ecosystem of creativity and innovation. The new club will begin play in 2024. The announcement follows the recent expansion announcement of the Utah Royals as team #13, also beginning play in 2024. With the newly added duo, the NWSL now includes 14 member clubs, nearly doubling the league's footprint since beginning operations in 2012.
US women's soccer legends, co-founders of Bay Area's NWSL team celebrate announcement
Fans of professional women's soccer were overjoyed to learn that the Bay Area would be getting a pro team as early as next year
Following a four-year career in the National Women's Soccer League, Leah Pruitt has announced her retirement from professional soccer, with the Orlando Pride forward moving on to pursue new career opportunities. "Leah has been a wonderful part of our Club and we are truly going to miss having her here, but we're very excited for her and the new opportunities she has ahead. She will forever be a part of our Orlando Pride family," said Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter. "We'd like to thank her for everything she has done for both our Club and community, and look forward to supporting her as she transitions in this next chapter of her life. ¬Â
Major League Soccer
Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga had a show-stopping performance as he scored a hat trick against Austin FC to secure an astounding 3-0 victory.
Untied Soccer League Championship
Driving his team to the top, Birmingham Legion FC's Neco Brett is the Player of the Week!
United Soccer League One
Alexis Cerritos of Central Valley Fuego FC is your fan voted USL League One Goal of the Week for Week 3!!
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
Delaware Blue Coats Win 2023 NBA G League Finals - FULL Trophy Presentation
Jaden Springer Named 2022-23 NBA G League Finals MVP
Chicago Bulls guard Carlik Jones has been named the 2022-23 Kia NBA G League Most Valuable Player for his play with the Windy City Bulls. Jones averaged an NBA G League-high 26.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals in 38.3 minutes through 24 games for the Windy City Bulls. An NBA G League Next Up Game selection, Jones recorded seven games with at least 30 points this season. He also earned Kia NBA G League Player of the Month honors for February after leading Windy City to a 6-2 record.
Washington Wizards Two-Way forward-center Jay Huff has been named the 2022-23 Kia NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year for his play with the Capital City Go-Go and South Bay Lakers. Huff led the NBA G League in blocked shots per game (3.1) and total blocks (87) to go with 15.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in 28 games split between the Capital City Go-Go and South Bay Lakers.
Golden State Warriors Two-Way guard Lester Quiñones has been named the 2022-23 Kia NBA G League Most Improved Player for his play with the Santa Cruz Warriors. In his rookie campaign, Quiñones averaged 21.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 31 games for the Santa Cruz Warriors. Prior to the regular season, he posted averages of 17.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 during 2022 Showcase Cup play.
Canadian Elite Basketball League
The Niagara River Lions announced the signing of 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Defensive Player of the Year, EJ Onu presented by Your Legal Services. The 6'11 American forward from Richmond Heights, Ohio will re-join the River Lions after recently completing a second season in the NBA G League, playing 11 games for the Memphis Hustle and finishing the 2022-23 season suiting up in 13 games for the Santa Cruz Warriors.
BASEBALL
Northwest League
The top of the Hillsboro order was all over the bases as the Hops defeated the Tri-City Dust Devils 7-3 on a breezy night at Geza Stadium in Pasco, giving new manager Ronnie Gajownik her first win. Hops manager Ronnie Gajownik, who attracted national media attention this week as the second-ever female pro baseball manager and the first above Low-A ball, picked up her first win as the Hops evened their season record at 1-1.
Hillsboro Hops manager Ronnie Gajownik reflects on becoming the first female skipper in High-A History!
Top Minor League Baseball highlights
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
Dysin Mayo scores his first goal for the Henderson Silver Knights in OT to capture the win.
AHL All-Star 2024 Logo Reveal
ECHL
Plays of the Week
North American Hockey League
Top Plays of the Week - March 27- April 2, 2023
Ontario Hockey League
Anson Thornton turned aside 23 shots before firing home one of his own in the final minute of regulation, becoming the 10th goaltender in OHL history to find the back of the net. Thornton's goal is the first by an OHL goaltender since Peterborough's Dylan Wells last scored on Apr. 13, 2017 against the Kingston Frontenacs, a series the Petes would win in four games.
United States Hockey League
The Hobey Baker Award committee has announced that Adam Fantilli, who played for the USHL's Chicago Steel In 2020-21 and 2021-22, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA Division I men's college hockey. Fantilli, a freshman forward with the University of Michigan who was also named the recipient of the Tim Taylor Award as the National Rookie of the Year, led the country in scoring this year with 64 points on 29 goals and 35 assists in 35 games. Eligible for the NHL Draft this summer where he's projected as one of the top prospects, the Toronto, Ont., native had 55-55- 110 in 103 games in his two campaigns in Chicago.
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Save of the year for Shingarov?
Premier Hockey Federation
The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced its first two award recipients for the 2022-23 regular season in recognition of two first-year performers on the Boston Pride including forward Loren Gabel who has been selected PHF Newcomer of the Year, and goaltender Corinne Schroeder who has been selected PHF Rookie of the Year. Gabel led the PHF with 40 points in 22 games which tied the league's single season scoring record. Her 20 goals and 20 assists were also both category leaders making her the first offensive triple crown winner since the inaugural 2015-16 campaign. Schroeder set several PHF single season records including 19 wins, seven shutouts, and 761 saves. She also led all netminders with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and a save percentage of .955 in 22 starts for the first place Pride.
The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced that Kali Flanagan of the Boston Pride has been selected PHF Defender of the Year for the 2022-23 regular season. Flanagan finished tied for third in regular season scoring among defenders with 16 points including three goals and 13 assists in 21 games, producing a points-per-game average of 0.762 that led her position.
FOOTBALL
XFL
The Seattle Sea Dragons just converted the coolest three-point attempt of all-time
Big man interception
Fake Punt for a touchdown
Canadian Football League
The big game is back in The Hammer this year, as Hamilton, Ontario plays host to the 110th Grey Cup.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
We've got the Top 10 plays from the month of March all bundled up neatly for you! Goalie lovers, watch to the end.
Lyle Thompson drops 8 goals and 8 assists as the Georgia Swarm defeat the Saskatchewan Rush.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Northwest League Stories from April 11, 2023
- Eventful Homestand Ends in Split for AquaSox - Everett AquaSox
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
