Following the Christmas holiday, the seventh round of the Westfield W-League took place, marking the halfway point of the 2019-20 regular season. Three members of the Orlando Pride took the field in Camila, Carson Pickett and Alanna Kennedy, each logging a full 90 minutes for their respective clubs. Kennedy earned Team of the Week honors for her performance, the second time she has received that accolade this season.
Thursday, December 26th:
Western Sydney Wanderers 4, Canberra United 0
The W-League’s seventh round began on Boxing Day, with Western Sydney earning a shutout victory over Canberra on the road. Pride forward Camila went the full 90 for Canberra, maintaining her streak of playing every minute throughout the current W-League campaign. Kyra Cooney Cross and North Carolina Courage teammates Denise O’Sullivan, Kristen Hamilton and Lynn Williams accounted for each of Western Sydney’s finishes on the evening.
Sunday, December 29th:
Sydney FC 2, Adelaide United 0
A Sunday doubleheader opened with a 2-0 shutout victory at home for Sydney FC. The Pride’s Alanna Kennedy played the entirety of the match for Sydney, leading her team to a clean sheet, winning seven duels, three clearances and three interceptions to earn herself Team of the Week honors. The match remained scoreless until the 77th minute when a deflection from Houston Dash defender Amber Brooks led to an Adelaide own goal, followed by a 90th minute insurance goal from Princess Ibini to secure all three points for Sydney.
Brisbane Roar 2, Newcastle Jets 1
The final match of the round saw the Brisbane Roar battle back from a 1-0 deficit to earn a 2-1 victory at home over the Newcastle Jets. Tara Andrews opened the scoring in the 22nd minute of the match for Newcastle only to be answered by a 41st minute finish from Houston Dash defender Claire Polkinghorne. Australian international Hollie Palmer would score the eventual game-winner for Brisbane in the 69th minute to secure all three points and maintain the Roar’s four-game unbeaten run. Pride defender Carson Pickett logged 90 minutes for Brisbane in the match, with her shot off the woodwork leading to the game-winner for Palmer.
Other W-League Results
Saturday, December 28:
Melbourne Victory 2, Perth Glory 1
NWSL Players Rostered - Melbourne Victory: Emily Menges (Portland Thorns), Haley Hanson (Houston Dash), Darian Jenkins (Reign FC); Perth Glory: Celia Jiménez (Reign FC), Morgan Andrews (Reign FC), Ari Romero (Houston Dash), Crystal Thomas (Washington Spirit)
W-League Round 8
Following the New Year celebration, the eighth round of the Westfield W-League took place over the weekend with three members of the Orlando Pride taking the field. In the first match-up of the weekend, Melbourne City’s Emily van Egmond and Claire Emslie traveled to take on the Brisbane Roar and Pride teammate Carson Pickett. City continued its unbeaten run to start the year, earning a 2-0 victory on the road.
Sunday’s match set to feature Pride teammates Camila and Alanna Kennedy in a match-up of Canberra United and Sydney FC was postponed due to extremely hazardous air quality from the devastating bushfires in the region. A new date for that match has yet to be announced.
Thursday, January 2nd:
Melbourne City 2, Brisbane Roar 0
The second half of the W-League season kicked off with Melbourne City earning a shutout victory on the road at the Brisbane Roar to maintain their unbeaten record through the 2018-19 campaign. The match-up featured three members of the Pride with Carson Pickett playing a full 90 for Brisbane, lining up against Orlando teammates Emily van Egmond and Claire Emslie for Melbourne. Van Egmond played the entirety of the match, while Emslie was subbed off in the 62nd minute. Milica Mijatovic opened the scoring in the sixth minute for the visitors, with Aivi Luik adding an insurance goal in the 74th to secure all three points for City.
Sunday, January 5th:
Canberra United vs. Sydney FC - POSTPONED
Sunday’s match slated to feature Pride forward Camila and Canberra United taking on Orlando teammate and Pride defender Alanna Kennedy was postponed due to the forecast of extremely hazardous air quality from the devastating bushfires in New South Wales. A rescheduled date for this match is yet to be announced.
Other W-League Results
Friday, January 3rd:
Adelaide United 2, Perth Glory 2
NWSL Players Rostered - Adelaide United: Amber Brooks (Houston Dash), Mallory Weber (Utah Royals FC); Perth Glory: Celia Jiménez (Reign FC), Morgan Andrews (Reign FC), Ari Romero (Houston Dash), Crystal Thomas (Washington Spirit)
Sunday, January 5th:
Melbourne Victory 2, Newcastle Jets 1
Melbourne Victory: Emily Menges (Portland Thorns), Haley Hanson (Houston Dash), Darian Jenkins (Reign FC); Newcastle Jets: None
Round 9 Fixtures:
Melbourne City vs. Canberra United (Thurs. Jan. 9, 3:30 a.m. ET / WATCH)
Newcastle Jets vs. Adelaide United (Fri. Jan 10, 1 a.m. ET / WATCH)
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Brisbane Roar (Sun. Jan. 12, 12 a.m. ET / WATCH)
Melbourne Victory, Perth Glory, Sydney FC: Bye
