The 23-year-old stands at only 159cm tall but doesn't let her height stop her from making incredible saves.

She was told by a former Reds W-League coach that despite being the best keeper in the state, she was too short.

One of the most underrated keepers in the league, Willacy knows that her height has played a part in people underestimating her.

"When I was younger people just saw my height and said 'nope, she won't be able to make it' but I've just got to prove all these people wrong," she said.

Willacy made history in Round 3 after keeping a clean sheet against reigning Premiers Brisbane Roar and meant that Adelaide kept their first back-to-back clean sheets.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Great to get the 3 points and another clean sheet 🔴⚪️

A post shared by Sarah Willacy (@sarahwillacy) on

She was also part of Adelaide's first clean sheet in 34 games, which came in a 0-0 draw with Melbourne Victory.

Willacy is into her third W-League season with Adelaide United having made her debut in a 3-3 draw against Victory in 2014. 

However, the Newton-based shot-stopper only started her goalkeeping journey as a 15-year-old when she was thrown into goals one day because of an injured teammate.

"I pretty much never came out," Willacy said.

"Surprisingly I played well and I had no idea what I was doing, I had never had any training," she said.

It hasn't been an easy road to the no.1 jersey, having been the reserve goalkeeper to former Matildas Melissa Barbieri when she first joined the club then Eliza Campbell last season. 

However, she dedicates her hard work at training to get to where she is now.

"I got my opportunity a few seasons ago and I had to prove myself," Willacy said.

"This season I've got to take the opportunity and play the best I can," she said.

Willacy also has aspirations to make the national side one day but says that she's taking it one step at a time for now. 

"Even to just get to a camp would be a great opportunity to show I'm good enough but one step at a time, need to play well in the W-League first," she said.