Westfield Matildas in the Westfield W-League: Kerr reaches new heights, teammates light up Round 13
Remember the day: Thursday, 24 January 2019 was the day Westfield Matildas forward Sam Kerr broke the Westfield W-League all-time scoring record.
With Perth Glory 2-1 up against Western Sydney Wanderers, it appeared Kerr might have been having one of those days every striker dreads.
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But, on the 70th minute mark, all would be forgotten.
Rachel Hill drove towards the byline, raising her head briefly to see teammate Kerr waiting — preying — on a forthcoming cross.
The cut-back was produced and Kerr pounced on it like the predator she is, hammering home to grab her 64th goal in the Westfield W-League.
11 minutes later, Kerr would extend her record — this time via an Alyssa Mautz cross.
Mautz hung the ball up delightfully in the air, giving Kerr the perfect set up to grab goal No.65.
The Westfield Matildas striker took her chance with aplomb, etching her name into the history books.
Incredibly, Kerr is now the all-time leading goalscorer in both the Westfield W-League and the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League.
Incredible.
Raso returns with a bang
There aren’t many better ways to mark your first start since a serious injury than by scoring your team’s opener.
But that’s exactly what Hayley Raso did against Canberra United, as Brisbane Roar ran out 4-1 winners and put themselves in the title race.
Raso’s goal caps off an incredible journey for the 24-year-old, where she suffered three fractured vertebrae and had to learn how to walk and run again.
The Westfield Matildas forward played 64 minutes for Brisbane Roar, clocking some vital minutes as Brisbane booked their place in the finals.
Not to be outdone, Raso’s Westfield Matildas teammate Clare Polkinghorne celebrated a milestone of her own, bringing up her 10-year anniversary with the Brisbane Roar.
Polkinghorne was part of the Brisbane Roar squads that won the 2012/13 and 2017/18 Premierships, and the Queensland Roar squad that won the inaugural Westfield W-League 2008/09 Premiership.
She played the full 90 minutes, as did goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
Trio of goals can’t separate Victory and Sydney
Three different Westfield Matildas got on the scoresheet between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC on Sunday afternoon, yet the game remarkably ended 2-2.
Alanna Kennedy got the ball rolling for the Sky Blues on 35 minutes, bringing her stats to three goals and one assist for the 2018/19 Season.
But Westfield Matildas midfielder Emily Gielnik would steal the thunder on 68 minutes, burying a cracker of a goal to settle the score and give Victory a deserved foothold back in the game.
The national team stars weren’t finished just yet, as Chloe Logarzo found the back of the net minutes later in some style. Upon receiving a cross, Logarzo cushioned the ball down before chipping the ball over a hapless Casey Dumont, restoring Sydney’s lead with less than 20 minutes to go.
Natasha Dowie would help the hosts equalise once more, giving them a real shot at claiming the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Premiership.
Caitlin Foord missed a 9th-minute penalty but played the full 90 minutes, while Princess Ibini was substituted just after the hour for Lisa De Vanna.
Laura Alleway and Gielnik played a full game, too.
Crummer injury sours Newcastle win
Larissa Crummer suffered a serious leg injury on Friday night, with her club confirming the Westfield Matildas star suffered a broken tibia.
The event occurred early in proceedings, with Crummer running onto a through-ball before being tackled by Adelaide United’s Sarah Willacy.
Play was suspended for more than 10 minutes as Crummer was treated by medics on the field.
We wish her a speedy recovery.
Michelle Heyman played the full 90 minutes, unable to help her side overcome a 2-1 deficit against the Newcastle Jets.
