NO STENGEL NO PROBLEM   

When looking at the starting 11 for Canberra United there was an obvious omission in their frontline. 

Katie Stengel would not suit up for the club due to an ankle injury forcing head coach, Heather Garriock, to make a personnel change. W-League rookie, Ashlie Crofts, would be called upon to replace Stengel in the lineup and hope to make an impact in her starting debut.

Canberra was the one controlling the tempo early on in the match with more chances than Newcastle. And in true storybook writing, who else but Crofts to be the one to put Canberra ahead?

Karly Roestbakken did most of the heavy lifting for the goal putting a shot on frame from outside the 18 that had the Jets goalkeeper outstretched to try and make a play on the ball. The shot would go past the goalkeeper but luckily hit the crossbar. That is where the luck would run out for the Jets since the ball landed right at the feet of Crofts who tapped the ball in for the opening goal.

That was the lone goal in the match for Crofts, but not the lone goal for Canberra. The squad would be able to convert two more shots giving them three goals on the day. The three goals are the most they have scored this season and tied their game high from a season ago.

Canberra would obviously love to have a healthy Stengel out there terrorizing opposing defences, but they have to be happy with the offensive play from their team today.

Not every team can have one of their best players out of the lineup and still come away with a win especially one with three goals.

When Stengel is healthy again she will surely regain her spot in the starting 11, but Crofts and company have made a statement today that the team's scoring can be done by committee.