Brooke Barbuto struck for a hat-trick in her second game with the Lady Lancers. (Photo courtesy of the Lady Lancers)

Rochester Lady Lancers midfielder Brooke Barbuto could not have asked for a better debut with her new United Women’s Soccer team.

Not only did she recorded a hat-trick in her second appearance with the club, the former Stony Brook University standout also was named UWS offensive player of the week.

Barbuto helped the Lady Lancers to their first road point Saturday, in a 2-2 draw at the New England Mutiny.

She then connected three times to pace Rochester to a 9-3 triumph at the Worcester Smiles Sunday.

Forward Elin Eklund, who tallied the equalizing goal in the 90th minute of the New England match and a hat-trick in the Worcester contest, alslo was named to the team of the week.

The Lady Lancers (1-0-1, 4 points) will host the Connecticut Fusion in their home opener at Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. Sunday at 2 p.m. The game will be followed by the Lancers men taking on Erie Commodores FC in their National Premier Soccer League home opener at 5 p.m.

Santa Clarita Blue Heat defender Yadria Toraya was selected UWS defensive player of the week.

The team of the week

F CARISSIMA CUTRONA (WNY Flash) – two goals v. defending East champion LI Rough Riders
F ELIN EKLUND (Rochester Lady Lancers) – game-tying goal in NE draw; hat trick v. Worcester
F HAILEY NORTH (Real Salt Lake Women) – two goals in two wins for RSL Women
M RACHEL MORRIER (Connecticut Fusion) – establishing herself as one of league’s top midfielders *
M BROOKE BARBUTO (Rochester Lady Lancers) – best player on pitch vs. NE; hat trick vs. Worcester
M AUBREY SCHIERBEEK (Lansing United) – controlled midfield & assisted on GWG v. Genesee FC *
D YADIRA TORAYA (Santa Clarita Blue Heat) – neutralized one of league’s best forwards in clean sheet v. RSLW
D MELISSA ROY (GRFC Women) – helped GRFC to clean sheet v. undefeated Detroit
D MEGAN FARRELL (So Cal Crush FC) – central defender helped Crush earn point on the road vs. CO
GK ANNABELLE HEGEMAN (Genesee FC) – earned kudos from both opposing coaches for outstanding play

Honorable mention

GK KAYLYN SMITH (Colorado Pride) – several big stops for Colorado netminder
F JENNIFER BORAWSKI (Michigan Legends FC) – scored goal & consistently active in Genesee FC win
F TAYRN LABREE (Colorado Pride) – one goal & several dangerous opportunities
M CHANEL JOHNSON (Connecticut Fusion) – goal; active play in midfield
D GRACE JOHNSON (Real Salt Lake Women) – solid in central defense in two wins for RSLW
D JACKIE MAZZARA (Detroit Sun FC) – strong center back play in tough luck loss

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.