Western United had an afternoon to forget in the Ninja A-League Women on Sunday, going down 4-1 against Melbourne Victory at The Home of the Matildas.
Catherine Zimmerman scored her first goal of the season to keep United in the game, but the Green and Black ultimately couldn’t overcome a fast start from Victory with Emily Gielnik bagging a first-half hat-trick.
Kat Smith’s side will look to regroup ahead of a trip to Sydney for a meeting with Newcastle Jets in Unite Round.
Western United Team News
Smith made two changes to her starting XI, both coming in midfield with Emily Roach returning and Sara Eggesvik making her first start for the Club.
Melissa Taranto dropped to the bench and Chloe Logarzo missed entirely after her wedding during the week, while 17-year-old attacker Alana Cortellino was named on the bench for the first time.
First Half
It was a nightmare start for Western United as Gielnik found the back of the net with little over 10 seconds on the clock, capitalising on a turnover immediately from kick-off.
United sought to gather its composure and work into the game but Victory kept their foot down and Gielnik scored a second in the ninth minute when she charged down Alyssa Dall’Oste’s clearance.
To the Green and Black’s credit, that start did nothing to dampen the mood and the team quickly began getting on the ball and looking to work its way back into the game.
Minutes later, Zimmerman sent a half-volley crashing into the crossbar from well outside the box before eventually being rewarded for her effort.
The American was United’s most dangerous player and popped up to head home at the near post from a Grace Maher corner, pulling the Green and Black back into the game.
Kahli Johnson had a big chance to equalise shortly after when United won the ball high from a goal kick, but the No.10’s shot was slightly rushed and flew over the crossbar.
Western continued to look for an equaliser but were ultimately punished by another turnover in midfield as Gielnik streamed through to finish one-on-one with Dall’Oste just before the break.
Second Half
That goal at the end of the half killed much of Western United’s momentum as Victory went about controlling the remainder of the contest to see out the win.
The home side did still create some chances, though, with Nickoletta Flannery striking the post and Gielnik having an effort cleared off the line by Alana Cerne just before the hour mark.
Johnson and Zimmerman remained in tune with their link-up play but just weren’t able to create a clear avenue to goal as Victory’s defence held firm.
One of the biggest positives of the day for Western was Cortellino’s introduction in the 66th minute for her professional debut.
Becoming the second youngest women’s player in United’s history, Cortellino flashed her exceptional pace and showed her bravery in taking the game on with every chance she got.
Despite that added injection of pace, there was no further goal forthcoming for United as Victory sealed their afternoon with a late strike from Ella O’Grady.
