CHICAGO – Red Stars action in Australia’s W-League continued over the holidays in Rounds Nine and Ten.

In the first match of Round Nine, Yuki Nagasato and the Brisbane Roar faced Canberra United, earning a point after a 1-1 scoreline. Canberra took an early lead after just three minutes of play, but Brisbane fought back and scored the equalizer in the 38th minute. Nagasato fought hard for the go-ahead goal, with a good cross in the 67th minute but it was collected by the Canberra defense.

Red Stars Sam Kerr, Nikki Stanton, Katie Naughton and Alyssa Mautz all started in Perth Glory’s loss to Melbourne Victory last Friday. Despite Perth’s best efforts to get on the scoresheet, it was Melbourne up with two goals by the end of regulation time. A Kerr assist in stoppage time gave Perth a lifeline, but the team couldn’t find an equalizer by the end of extra time.

Arin Wright played the full 90 minutes on Sunday in Newcastle Jets’ last-minute loss to Adelaide United. After a mistimed header from Adelaide, the Jets were up 2-1 against their opponents and seemed poised to take the win, but in the last six minutes of added time Adelaide scored two goals in quick succession and stole all three points.

Round Ten began with the four Red Stars of Perth Glory battling for a place atop the leaderboard in a game against Canberra United. Both sides were searching for a goal, but no one could capitalize on their chances. Perth finally broke through after Kerr was taken down in the box in the 85th minute. She drilled the resulting penalty past the outstretched hands of Canberra’s goalkeeper and clinched the win and a tied spot atop the Premiership Ladder with Melbourne Victory.

Danielle Colaprico’s Sydney FC took down Arin Wright and the Newcastle Jets 3-1. Both Colaprico and Wright played the full 90 minutes in the contest. Sydney FC sits at sixth place with 12 points while Newcastle Jets are in eighth place with seven points.

Round Eleven begins Thursday with a capital-city derby pitting Colaprico and Sydney FC against Western Sydney Wanderers. Nagasato and Brisbane Roar face off against Melbourne City on Friday, while Perth Glory will take on Newcastle Jets on Saturday.