June 4, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 4, 2026) - The Women’s Premier Soccer League handed out Week Four National player honors. With over 60 nominations received, this week’s honorees led their teams to rivalry wins, shut outs, and displayed leadership on the field.
Royals AZ’s Ruby Hayward of the University of Colorado (Freshman) earned National Offensive Player of the Week after two wins, a game-winning goal and a brace, and two assists.
Anna Buckwalter of Reading United A.C. and Binghamton University (Sophomore) claims National Defensive Player of the Week with a shutout win, hard-fought draw against conference rivals, and three assists contributing to three of eight goals scored on the Week.
The WPSL selects Loyola University, Chicago sophomore Allison Deardorff as National Goalkeeper of the Week for her performance earning two clean sheets, 11 saves, 180 minutes, and respectively defeating two of the top teams in the conference for Chicago House AC.
Ruby Hayward of Royals AZ claims National Offensive Player of the Week honor after leading the Royals to double wins to open its 2026 slate. The University of Colorado freshman contributed to five of the seven goals scored on the week, including a final-minute game winner.
The reigning Desert champions opened their season Thursday facing conference veterans SC del Sol on the road. Despite taking the lead in the opening minutes off Hayward’s assist to Ellie Johannes, del Sol wouldn’t shut down that easily as the Phoenix side equalized in the 20th minute. For the remainder of the half—and 40 minutes of the second—Royals and del Sol stayed level, testing each other as a draw loomed with each touch. A break in the 87th minute sparked in the Royals’ favor as Hayward tabbed the winning goal to seal the win. Hayward finished with a goal and assist on the night.
With two days rest before their second match of the week, the Royals hosted El Paso in Scottsdale. Building off the momentum and confidence from the big win over del Sol in the final minutes, Hayward picked up right where she ended. Recording 70 minutes of play, Hayward tabbed two goals and an assist in the 5-1 win, moving the Royals to 2-0-0 to open its season.
“Ruby Hayward’s game-winning goal and strong performances in the first two matches have been instrumental in helping the team secure all six points to start the season,” Summer Anderson, Royals AZ coach, said. “Her ability to create scoring opportunities and deliver in key moments has provided the spark and leadership needed to drive the team’s early success.”
Binghamton sophomore Anna Buckwalter led Reading United A.C. to its second win and a hard-fought draw against conference rivals in Week Four, moving Reading to 2-1-0 and the eighth-ranked team in the East Region, earning Buckwalter National Defensive Player of the Week.
Buckwalter's defensive pressure as a holding mid kept opponents off balance in both games while recording 165 minutes on the week. In their first road-match of the season, Buckwalter kept West-Mont United off the scoresheet while contributing an assist in the 5-0 shutout win.
Coming off two shutout wins on two-days rest, Buckwalter and Reading faced rivals Pennsylvania Classics at home. In the pair’s last four meetings, Reading and the Classics ended with three draws combined for 10 goals. Reading’s last win over the Classics came on June 28, 2024 with a 3-1 win. For the first meeting of 2026, Buckwalter assisted on both Reading’s goals in the 2-2 draw, extending its unbeaten streak to 15 games.
“As our team captain she is the epitome of a leader in action and words. She is the standard our team aspires to emulate,” Matt Beiber, Reading United A.C. chief communications officer, said. “The offensive side as well as her defensive presence allow us to succeed”
Loyola Chicago Sophomore Allison Deardorff earned two clean sheets in Week Four against two of the most notable opponents in the Central Region. With 11 saves and 180 minutes total in goal, Deardorff leads Chicago House AC to 2-1-0 on the season and up six spots to the third-ranked team in the Central Region. With the performance, Deardorff receives National Goalkeeper of the Week honors.
Coming off a hard fought draw with the number one team in the region, Chicago House AC traveled to Green Bay to face a strong Glory side. Deardoff’s leadership limited the attack and secured the shutout win before facing conference juggernauts in their second game of the week.
Deadorff achieved something in Week Four that doesn’t happen often for teams facing FC Milwaukee Torrent—a clean sheet and a win. Torrent’s offense is known to be explosive against opponents. In the last two seasons, Torrent averaged 3.3 goals per game while only conceded 0.5 goals against in 18 games. Deardorff made eight saves against the Torrent Sunday, completely shutting down Torrent’s offense in the 4-0 win.
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