All Vlora UPSL teams were busy over the last several days, with the men’s premier and women’s teams collecting some vital wins as their respective seasons begin to truly take shape.
Vlora Men vs. Karen FA
Vlora’s recent causes for celebration began with a vital 1-0 road win against the Karen Football Association on May 20, the fourth clean sheet of the season for Vlora’s men’s premier team after previously earning wins against Rochester FC, FC Manitou, and Union Des Bateaux. The Karen FA entered the game as one of the top performing teams in the Midwest-West division, having earned 10 points from five games. Vlora were 3-0 for the season and improved to 4-0 with Wednesday’s win.
The eventual winning goal was a scrappy but important one. Vlora took a corner kick in the first half. The ball went across goal before being headed back into the six-yard box by Oscar Alvarez, where it was tipped by the Karen goalkeeper. Justin Martínez was ready, however, connecting with the ball immediately to score a header.
Vlora Women vs. St. Paul Blackhawks
Vlora’s UPSL women’s team earned their first win of the season last week, beating the St. Paul Blackhawks 2-1 on May 23. The win featured big goals from Lauren Vacek (her second of the season) and Emma Olson to surpass the hosts and continuing their tough start to the spring.
The win improves Vlora’s start this season to 1-1-1, totaling four points. This keeps the team in third place of five in in the Midwest West-North, ahead of Superior City and Minnesota Bliss. Vlora were shutout by Eden Prairie the week prior to this game, but the signs of promise have been around the team since game one, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Granite City.
Vlora Men vs. Superior City
Vlora’s men’s premier team was back at it on May 24, earning a 4-1 win at Superior City to conclude a north shore-bound road trip with their fifth-consecutive win, remaining undefeated with just one goal conceded in that time. Superior City entered last week amid a slow start to their season, going 1-1-1 in their first three games and still looking for consistency. Vlora made the most of their strong start to the spring, bringing the same consistency that brought them four wins prior to Sunday.
Justin Martínez scored yet another goal in the day’s win, while Juan Lagares, Simon Morales, and Tomas Menna added goals to stack up Vlora’s road victory.
Vlora’s men’s premier team ended the week in first place in the Midwest-West with 15 points and a game in hand over second place St. Croix SC, who have 11 points from six games.
