Western United ALW Team News: Round 4 vs Wellington Phoenix

Mark Torcaso has named an unchanged 20-player extended squad for Western United’s Liberty A-League Women Round 4 trip to face Wellington Phoenix this weekend.

Following the thrilling 2-2 draw against Melbourne City last week, the entire playing squad will look to reload and go in search of a second win of the season.

After missing that City clash due to a short turnaround from their respective international duties, co-captain Jaclyn Sawicki and defender Tyla Jay Vlajnic are both in the extended squad and hoping to feature.

Both players started United’s opening two fixtures and will hope to get straight back into the line-up for what looms as a tricky away trip against the in-form Phoenix.

The pair will also have fond memories of the trip to Wellington from last season – Sawicki made her United debut in that fixture, while Vlajnic collected an assist.

Elsewhere, Hillary Beall will be aiming to make her season debut after last week’s fixture came too soon in her return to the Club, having only just arrived in Melbourne days before the match.

The American shot stopper will have to oust Alyssa Dall’Oste from the starting role with the young No.1 impressing so far this season, particularly against City where she made a number of crucial saves.

Kiara De Domizio is also in the extended squad with United’s attacking stocks looking incredibly deep after contributions from a number of players.

Kiewa Hieda picked up an assist in her first start last week, Hannah Keane kick started her goal tally and 16-year-old Avaani Prakash was electric off the bench, creating strong competition for places within the squad.

There was a professional debut for Lucy Richards last time out and she will hope to earn a place in the matchday squad again.

Catherine Zimmerman remains unavailable for the clash as she continues to work towards her Western United debut in the coming weeks. Raquel Deralas is also ruled out.

Full Western United extended squad

Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Lucy RICHARDS, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 26. Natalie PICAK (gk)

Ins: 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 21. Hillary BEALL

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 17. Raquel DERALAS (injured), 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN (injured)