Aussie now leads W-League and NWSL in goals

CHICAGO — Sam Kerr has made a habit of making history.

Against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Thursday, Kerr’s goal in the 70th minute ascended her name to the top of the all-time scoring list in the Westfield W-League. The league’s first-ever marquee signing added a brilliant header goal to add two to her name on the night to reach 65 career goals in Australia’s premier competition.

SIMPLY THE BEST!@samkerr1 nets her 64th @WLeague goal, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in the competition. #WLeague #WhereHeroesAreMade #WSWvPER

🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/bhSnEF99QP

— Liberty A-League (@aleaguewomen) January 24, 2019

“Any time you break a record it’s a huge achievement and it’s something I’m proud of,” Kerr told the W-League in the postgame interview. “I didn’t know that coming into the game. It’s obviously a proud moment and something I’ll look back on for the rest of my career.”

At just 25 years old, Kerr already has an impressive list of accolades. Playing for the Chicago Red Stars in the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, the Aussie became the first player to score 50 career goals en route to her second-consecutive golden boot. She’s also the all-time leading scorer in the NWSL, meaning she holds that honor in two different leagues.

More importantly for Kerr, however, was the result. A definitive 5-1 win that allows Perth Glory to control their own postseason destiny with a game to go. Kerr wasn’t the first Red Star player to score for Perth that night. Katie Naughton capitalized off a rebounded shot to regain the lead for her team heading into halftime. Alyssa Mautz would also assist Kerr’s second goal. With the victory, Perth sits in second place in the W-League ladder.

NAUGHTON!!!!! GET IN!!!!!!

(1-2) #WSWvPER #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/VmTFaJKfbL

— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) January 24, 2019

The team ahead of Perth? Yuki Nagasato’s Brisbane Roar, who took on Canberra United in their Round 13 fixture. The former Japanese international would be the third Red Star player to score a goal in Round 13. Nagasato placed a strike from outside the 18-yard box perfectly past the goalkeeper to give her team a 3-1 lead. Brisbane would go on to win 4-1, ascending them to the top of the league ladder.

This goal from @Yuki_Ogimi is just *chef's kiss* 😍 pic.twitter.com/cmYBIA2AW5

— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) January 25, 2019

The final Red Star player in Round 13 action would be Arin Wright, who’s Newcastle Jets took on against Adelaide United. It was Wright who opened the scoring for her team, tucking away a penalty in the 22nd minute in a 2-1 victory.

A gutsy win, full of heart as we secure three points away from home #ADLvNEW #MadeOfNewcastle pic.twitter.com/zAJxYYPdv4

— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) January 25, 2019

With a game left before the playoffs, three teams featuring Chicago Red Stars are in contention for the postseason. As previously mentioned, Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory sit 1st and 2nd respectively in the league table. Danielle Colaprico’s Sydney FC sit 4th with two regular season games left against Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City.