Sam Kerr earns Golden Boot Award

CHICAGO – Adelaide United ended the regular season on a high note, defeating Melbourne Victory 2-1. Newcastle Jets fell to a 0-3 shutout against Melbourne City FC.

The Red Stars trio of Danielle Colaprico, Alyssa Mautz and Katie Naughton finished the regular season with their third win for Adelaide, ending with a 3-8-1 record.

Adelaide took the lead in the 17^th minute thanks to Makenzy Doniak’s strike from the six-yard box. But just before halftime, the Victory bounced back and equalized from a close-range shot by Kyra Cooney-Cross. United pulled ahead once again in the 57^th minute as Jenna McCormick snuck one past the keeper to be the game winner.

Colaprico helped the pace of the match as she earned the most touches (82), setting up multiple scoring opportunities. Naughton found herself in 16 duels along the backline, winning 10 to keep dangerous chances at bay. Mautz earned one of three shots on goal, nearly tallying a goal as her header was saved on the goal line.

Already locked in for postseason, Arin Gilliland and the Newcastle Jets ended their regular season with a loss against second-place Melbourne City FC, finishing a 6-4-2 record going into the semifinals.

Melbourne City earned three goals in the first half to be the only goals of the match, despite Newcastle’s efforts to tally. Gilliland struck a bending shot to the left goal post, but was saved by the keeper to allow her just one shot on goal.

Perth Glory’s Sam Kerr was honored with the Golden Boot award for her personal best 13 goals during the season in which she only appeared nine times. Kerr also broke the record for most goals in a single season, averaging 1.4 goals a match.

Semifinals:
Sydney FC (8-3-1) vs. Newcastle Jets (6-4-2)

Red Stars Stats:
Danielle Colaprico (Adelaide United) – 90 minutes
Alyssa Mautz (Adelaide United) – 90 minutes
Katie Naughton (Adelaide United) – 90 minutes

Arin Gilliland (Newcastle Jets) – 90 minutes