Adelaide ends on high note

CHICAGO – Perth Glory advances to the semifinals after a late victory to push them into second on the leader board, while Adelaide finished the season in style, winning their last three matches.

In a must-win match in search for the final team to earn the fourth playoff spot, Newcastle Jets fell to Melbourne City FC 2-0, finishing their season in fifth position. Although neither team found much luck in the first half, Melbourne steadily created more chances and shots in Newcastle’s defensive third before finding the back of the net in the 56^th minute. Jets Jen Hoy continued to test the City’s defense, finishing the match with three shots, including one on frame. After a three goal performance the previous week, City knew that Arin Gilliland was a major threat for the Jets, but Gilliland still found opportunities to try and create chances.

Sam Johnston and Melbourne Victory were unable to defeat league champions Canberra United, as they fell 5-1 in their final match of the season. Canberra controlled the match as they had 25 shots on goal, compared to Melbourne’s four. Canberra finished the game with a goal in the 77^th minute and two goals in the final stoppage time.

Adelaide United proved to be much more of a threat at the end of the season, defeating then-first place team Sydney FC 5-2 to finish sixth in the season. The first half stayed consistent with both teams earning equal opportunities on goal, but neither could capitalize on their chances. Adelaide started the scoring seconds into the second half, which was followed with six of the seven total goals in a matter of 22 minutes. Adelaide’s Sofia Huerta buried her eighth goal of the season in the 87^th minute past the Sydney goalkeeper after a perfect set piece from Red Stars teammate Katie Naughton.

Already coveting a semi-final spot, the final match came down to positioning as Perth Glory finished the game with a last-minute goal to win 1-0 against Western Sydney Wanderers, earning second-place in the league and the coveted home field advantage. Perth controlled most of the game, earning 16 shots on goal to the Wanderers six, but the deciding factor came in the final two minutes of stoppage time. Vanessa DiBernardo would find herself heading a ball into the box, which created a perfect opportunity for Caitlin Doeglas to score the game-winning goal. Perth will take on third-place Sydney FC in the first semifinal match

Semi-Finals
Perth Glory (7-3-2) vs. Sydney FC (7-4-1)

Red Star Stats:
Arin Gilliland (Newcastle Jets) – 90 minutes
Jen Hoy (Newcastle Jets) – 90 minutes

Sam Johnson (Melbourne Victory) – 90 minutes

Danielle Colaprico (Adelaide United) – 90 minutes
Sofia Huerta (Adelaide United) – 90 minutes, GOAL, assist
Katie Naughton (Adelaide United) – 90 minutes, assist

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