Huerta scores a brace, DiBernardo seals penalty

CHICAGO – With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, the W-League is heating up after Perth Glory escaped with a 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United drew for the third week in a row after a 2-2 tie against Canberra United.

In the first match-up, Adelaide found themselves behind after Canberra found a goal in the 20th minute. Adelaide regained composure and attacked the defense, drawing a foul inside the 18-yard box. Sofia Huerta, leading Adelaide in goals, stepped up and converted the penalty to equalize the match. Canberra regained the lead in the 79th minute, but it would only last momentarily as Huerta made an amazing run through the defense and hit the ball perfectly to tie the game in the final 10 minutes. On the defensive end for Adelaide, Katie Naughton intercepted the ball nine balls from the Canberra forwards to take away any more opportunities of attack. In the midfield, Danielle Colaprico once again controlled the pace of the match and finished with a 76 percent passing accuracy.

In the last match-up of Round 11, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory found no luck in the first half, bringing the scoreless duel into halftime. Sam Kerr broke the stalemate for the Glory in the 50th minute and took the lead. An unfortunate pair of own goals by Perth would see the club down 2-1 to the Victory within an eight-minute timeframe. However, Perth would switch gears in the 60th minute and immediately go on the attack. Perth was awarded a penalty late in the match, where Vanessa DiBernardo would step up and equalize the game. With five minutes remaining in regulation, Alyssa Mautz got a hold of a Sam Kerr cross right on the goal line, but it was deflected by the goalkeeper, causing chaos inches from the goal. Scrambling for the ball, Rosie Sutton was able to tap it into the back of the net for the game winner and keep Perth undefeated over the past six games.

Round 12:
Canberra United (5-2-2) vs. Perth Glory (6-1-2)
Adelaide United (0-4-5) vs. Western Sydney Wanderers (3-5-1)
Newcastle Jets (2-4-3) vs. Brisbane Roar FC (4-5-1)
Melbourne Victory (1-6-3) vs. Melbourne City FC (4-3-2)

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

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

Sam Johnson (Melbourne Victory) – 90 minutes