Colaprico nets brace for Adelaide’s second win in a row

CHICAGO – Heading into the final regular season matches, the postseason race continues after Newcastle Jets Arin Gilliland sealed her first hat trick of the season, giving the Jets 15 overall points, just two behind fourth-place coveters, Melbourne City FC.

In a must-win situation, Newcastle Jets found themselves in a tough situation, facing off against W-League ladder leader, Sydney FC. After a fairly even first half, neither team was able to find the back of the net and headed into the locker room in a scoreless draw. Twelve minutes into the second half, Gilliland would start her string of goals after a failed Sydney clearance, allowing Gilliland to finish an opportunity from close range. In the 74^th minute, a cross sent into the box found Gilliland and she would finish it with a perfect header that went past a diving Sydney goalkeeper to up the Jets score, 2-0. Gilliland completed her hat trick just four minutes later, after Red Stars teammate Jen Hoy slipped a ball into the box that was parried away by Sydney FC goalkeeper, only to be put on the foot of Gilliland, who calmly placed into the back of the net. In the final seconds of stoppage time Sydney FC squashed the chance for a Newcastle shutout by netting a goal, but the Jets finished on top, 3-1. Newcastle takes on Melbourne City in a must-win match, as the winner secures a playoff berth.

Adelaide United sealed their second victory in as many games after defeating Perth Glory 2-1. Perth found themselves ahead in the first 10 minutes of the match, only to be tied moments later. Danielle Colaprico equalized five minutes later with an unstoppable strike from 20-yards out, earning her first goal of the season. Vanessa DiBernardo finished a great opportunity, but the goal was eventually called back due to being offside. The match continued to go back and forth until Colaprico would find herself once again outside the box and striking a perfect left footed shot to secure the win for Adelaide in the 84^th minute.

Round 14:
Newcastle Jets (4-4-3) vs. Melbourne City FC (5-4-2)
Canberra United (6-3-2) vs. Melbourne Victory (2-6-3)
Adelaide United (2-4-5) vs. Sydney FC (7-3-1)
Western Sydney Wanderers (4-6-1) vs. Perth Glory (6-3-2)

Red Stars Stats:
Arin Gilliland (Newcastle Jets) – 90 minutes, HAT TRICK
Jen Hoy (Newcastle Jets) – 90 minutes

Vanessa DiBernardo (Perth Glory) – 90 minutes
Alyssa Mautz (Perth Glory) – 90 minutes

Danielle Colaprico (Adelaide United) – 90 minutes, 2 GOALS
Sofia Huerta (Adelaide United) – 90 minutes
Katie Naughton (Adelaide United) – 90 minutes