THREE BEST GOALS

 

3. LISA DE VANNA’S FIRST GOAL

This season, Lisa De Vanna joined Fiorentina Women's FC in Italy and it did not take long for the striker’s first goal for her new club. In just her second appearance, De Vanna collected a poor touch from a  defender at the top of the box. She then only needed two touches to put the ball in the back of the net and earn a goal for Fiorentina. As the season plays out keep an eye on what else De Vanna can do.

 

 

2. SAM KERR'S 16TH OF THE SEASON

Sam Kerr continues her run at the golden boot in the NWSL by notching her 16th goal of the season, a league best. And of course she had to score with a little bit of style. Kerr was running towards goal when her teammate played her a through ball inside the box. Kerr wasted no time and sent the ball into the net with one touch, placing the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs for a nutmeg goal.

 

 

1. CHLOE LOGARZO’S LATE GOAL

A late sub into the match, Chloe Logarzo was hoping to help her team pull ahead for the win. The forward did her job and stepped up to create the heroic moment, scoring in the 90th minute of play.

Logarzo was passed a ball just outside the six-yard box, she settled the ball and sent a bending shot out of reach of the keeper. It seemed like the Spirit would win the game, but their celebrations were short lived thanks to an even later goal from Reign FC.

 

THREE BEST MOMENTS

 

3. MINUTES IN EUROPE

Not quite one moment, but all of the moments of the European playing Aussies on the field this week. A lot of attention for overseas players is directed towards the NWSL in the USA. But there are plenty of Aussies competing elsewhere, specifically in Europe. And this week may have been when all of them saw playing time.

European football does have multiple games a week for different tournaments and leagues going on at the same time for clubs and the Aussies are benefiting from that structure. No matter how they are gaining the minutes, Aussies being on the pitch can only help their development.

 

 

2.ALANNA KENNEDY SACRIFICING FOR HER TEAM

The lethal foot of Kerr when she is in front of goal speaks for itself. When Kerr shoots she often scores and that is something her Matildas teammates know well. Alanna Kennedy has seen first hand how well Kerr can strike a ball and this past week, Kennedy was able to feel it too.

Kerr was just inside the 18-yard box chasing down a loose ball. She shot the ball one time right on frame, then Kennedy jumps into the shot inside the six-yard box sending in the ball away from goal.

The ball was struck so hard it landed on the far side of the box away from Kennedy. Even if she got a bruise from the shot, Kennedy will be sure to say saving a goal was well worth it.

 

 

1. HAYLEY RASO AWARDED OFF THE PITCH

Having good quality on the field is important, but even more importantly it is about being a quality person off of the field. Hayley Raso has made a point to do that and her efforts have been noticed this season.

Her club, the Portland Thorns, give players who have worked hard in giving back to the Portland community the Stand Together Community MVP Award.

Raso’s list of community involvement is long and includes volunteering for Girls on the Run, Habitat for Humanity, and her visit to Shriners Hospital. She is an outstanding representation of quality both on and off the pitch. 

 

 

THREE BEST PERFORMANCES

3. CHLOE LOGARZO

No matter how many minutes you get in a game, if you make the most of them  they count for even more and Logarzo did just that this week.

She came on in the 65th minute with fresh legs and a spark for the Washington Spirit’s offense. Logarzo made sure to stay present and be ready up until the last second when her team needed her most.

She scored the go ahead goal for her team, unfortunately the Spirit’s defense could not seal the deal for the squad. But without Logarzo the Spirit could have walked away from the game with a one goal deficit. 

 

 

2. TEAGAN MICAH

Last week UCLA suffered their first loss of the season, 2-0 to Santa Clara. This week the team bounced back and beat the #22 ranked team in the NCAA, the Wisconsin Badgers.

The win boosted their confidence and showed they are still a top team in the USA. UCLA won 1-0 and keeping that clean sheet was large in part due to Teagan Micah, who had seven saves on the day.

For a goalkeeper what more can you ask for?

 

1. SAM KERR

As mentioned, Kerr scored her 16th goal of the season this week. But what is even more promising for her and the Chicago Red Stars were her assists this week.

When Kerr scores her teams typically win, but a quality about the star forward that is often overlooked is her ability to set up her teammates well.

So much attention is placed on Kerr that allows her teammates to get open and have their own scoring opportunities. Along with Kerr’s goal she also had two assists this week in two games the Red Stars would go onto win.

If Kerr can find her way on a stat sheet whether by assist or goal, it seems to be the difference maker in the win column.

 

 

 

 

 

Follow Kristin Shaffer on Twitter: @k_shaffe Â