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.

PENALTIES PUSH JETS FORWARD

A week ago Canberra found themselves on the wrong end of a penalty late in the game against Melbourne City. Canberra conceded a penalty in the dying minutes that would cost them a well earned tie.

This week's game against Newcastle they would give up not one but two penalties. Two fouls in the first half would quickly erase Canberra's two goal lead they had built up.

The first penalty came from defender Kaleigh Kurtz trying to clear the ball from Nicki Flannery, but completely missing the ball and kicking Flannery instead. The referee originally ruled it a free kick outside of the box, but then correctly called it a penalty.

Then just five minutes later the Jets would be awarded another penalty after Kelly Roestbakken made contact with Jenna Kinglsey.

The first penalty had more merit than the second, but still costly fouls would almost cost Canberra the win. The two penalties were not the only fouls Canberra would commit, they would concede 11 fouls in the whole match with quite a few around their defensive box.

Canberra dominated most of the game, but their defensive miscues kept their opponent in the match.

The Jets, like Melbourne City capitalized on their penalty opportunities and Canberra wishing they were better in their defensive third.

Three penalties conceded in two games has to have future opponents of Canberra looking to put as much pressure on their defence as possible to try and get a penalty of their own.

SO CLOSE BUT NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT

After three games the Newcastle Jets find themselves with a 0-1-2 record having both of their losses coming by just one goal.

They are hanging in games they just can't seem to finish them in their favor. The Jets are young and inexperienced in the W-League which is a factor in their losing record.

But their youth also seems to be their greatest strength at times. On paper Newcastle should not be a part of such close matches. That is a thought by everyone else and something that you cannot see on the faces of the Jets players.

The naitivity of young athletes in sports can have them unaware of the situation. The Jets play like they belong in the W-League despite their roster being full of players with limited caps and players earning their debuts.

The Jets were outplayed today, but only lost by one goal. They earned two penalties and were able to make the most of their chances despite going down 2-0 early.

Newcastle is somewhat of a mystery. On one hand their record is expected having zero wins to their name. Then on the other hand every single game has been close with them one or two plays away from earning another tie or even a win.

The season is young like the Jets who could find their way into some wins soon.

But the Jets may need to grow up quickly in a sense to be able to find that last goal to secure a win this season.