What's the latest in women's sports? Here's what's caught my attention lately.

June 2024 Edition

LPGA:

The 10th edition of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give kicked off today, June 13th. This prestigious tournament boasts a generous $3 million purse and features 144 of the LPGA’s top golfers vying for victory.

Who to watch? Keep an eye on defending champion Leona Maguire, current World #1 Nelly Korda, and previous Meijer champions Sei Young Kim and Brooke Henderson—they're all primed to showcase their skills and compete for the coveted title.

Catch all the action from June 13th to 16th, airing live from 3pm to 6pm ET on the NBS Sports App, golfchannel.com, and Peacock.

F1 Academy:

The next thrilling event in the 2024 racing series is set for June 21-23 in the picturesque city of Barcelona, Spain. If you're not familiar with it, the F1 Academy is an initiative launched by Formula One to propel female drivers into the upper echelons of motorsport, specifically Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3.

In this championship, all teams compete using identical Tatuus F4-T-421 chassis and Pirelli-developed tyre compounds, ensuring a level playing field. This approach contrasts sharply with Formula 1, where teams design and develop their own cars within stringent regulations. The F1 Academy's spec series eliminates the technological arms race prevalent in F1, where teams pour resources into engineering and innovation to gain an edge. Instead, the F1 Academy prioritizes driver skill and team strategy, ensuring that the competition is based on talent rather than equipment.

This means that, theoretically, the best driver will emerge victorious. Currently, that driver is Abbi Pulling, who leads the series with an impressive 99 points.

For the latest standings, visit [F1 Academy Standings](https://www.f1academy.com/Racing-Series/Standings/Driver).

To catch all the action, you can watch the F1 Academy on:

- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@f1academy/featured)

- [F1 TV](https://f1tv.formula1.com/page/8440/f1-academy)

Tennis:

Last weekend, World No. 1 Iga Swiatek secured her third consecutive French Open title, joining Justine Henin as the only other woman to achieve this feat in the early 2000s. Looking ahead, the spotlight shifts to the legendary grass-court tournament, Wimbledon, commencing on July 1st.

All eyes will be on former World No. 2 Ons Jabeur, who reached the finals in both 2022 and 2023, narrowly missing out on capturing the prestigious Wimbledon title. She returns this year with determination, alongside defending champion Markéta Vondrou?ová, setting the stage for another exhilarating showdown on the grass courts.

WNBA:

As the Commissioners Cup nears its thrilling conclusion, the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx stand tall, leading the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively. Both teams have showcased exceptional performances throughout the season, dominating the regular season scoreboard with their impressive gameplay and strategy.

However, the two-time defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, featuring the formidable A’ja Wilson, find themselves in an unexpected slump. The Aces are currently on a three-game losing streak, holding a 5-5 record. This surprising turn of events adds extra intrigue to their upcoming clash against the Phoenix Mercury. Fans can catch this critical match tonight at 10PM EST on Amazon Prime Video, where the Aces will be striving to regain their championship form and break their losing streak.

PWHL:

The 2024 PWHL Draft has officially wrapped up, with Sarah Fillier being the coveted first-round draft pick, chosen by New York. A standout forward from Princeton University, Fillier boasts an impressive record with 93 career goals, 101 career assists, and a total of 194 career points. Her prowess extends beyond collegiate play; she has been a key player for the Canadian National Team, securing Olympic gold in 2022 and IIHF World Championship titles in 2021, 2022, and most recently in 2024, along with a silver medal in 2023.

For a detailed look at all the draft selections and to see how the teams have shaped up, check out the full draft results: (https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/full-2024-pwhl-draft-results)

US Soccer:

The Emma Hayes era has officially begun for the USWNT, and anticipation is building as they gear up for two crucial friendlies before the Paris Olympics. Here's the schedule:

USA vs. Mexico: July 13, 3pm EST at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey

USA vs. Costa Rica: July 16, 7pm EST at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

These matches will serve as vital preparation for the formidable challenges awaiting in the Olympic group stage. The USWNT is set to face two powerhouse teams, Germany and Australia, in what promises to be an intense test of their skill and strategy.

For more details on the USWNT's schedule, visit [US Soccer](https://www.ussoccer.com/schedule-tickets/uswnt)

NCAA Softball:

In case you missed the excitement, the Oklahoma Sooners have once again proven their dominance, clinching their fourth consecutive Women's College World Series (WCWS) championship title—an incredible feat! The Sooners, ranked #2, delivered a masterclass in softball, sweeping the top-ranked Texas Longhorns in a decisive fashion.

The Sooners showcased their prowess with an 8-3 victory in game one, followed by an equally commanding 8-4 win in game two. This performance not only solidified their reign but also highlighted their complete domination over their rivals. The Oklahoma Sooners continue to set the standard in collegiate softball, leaving fans in awe of their remarkable achievements.

NWSL:

The Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride are continuing to dominate the league standings with impressive performances this season. Both teams have identical 8-0-4 records after 12 games, showcasing their consistency and competitive edge. The Current are particularly notable for their offensive prowess, leading the league with 31 goals.

Meanwhile, Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith is making headlines in the race for the Golden Boot. Smith, who won the 2023 Golden Boot with 11 goals, currently leads this season with 9 goals, aiming to become the first player in NWSL history to win back-to-back Golden Boot titles.

Here are the must-watch games this weekend:

- Kansas City Current vs. Chicago Red Stars: Friday, June 14 at 7pm CST on Prime Video

- Racing Louisville FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC: Saturday, June 15 at 1pm EST on ESPN

For the full NWSL schedule, visit [NWSL Soccer](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/schedule/regular-season)