Western United has had a year to remember in 2022, with famous wins on the pitch and landmark moments off it.
Throughout Isuzu UTE A-League Men, Liberty A-League Women and Academy teams, there have been a number of standout individual moments throughout the year.
We take a look back at some of the very best individual moments in 2022.
Aleksandar Prijovic’s Joe Marston Medal-winning performance
The ultimate big game player, Aleksandar Prijovic stood tallest for Western United when the team needed it most in one of the greatest individual performances the Club has ever seen.
After initiating the second-minute own goal with his near post header, Prijovic smashed home a goal of his own and led the line with aplomb, constantly putting City’s defence under pressure with his quality and presence in the final third.
This could really be extended to his entire Finals Series. Prijovic scored four goals, had one assist and the hand in Nuno Reis’ own goal across the four games and put his name on the list of great Grand Final performances, picking up the Joe Marston Medal.
“Oh my word, that is EXTRAORDINARY from Ben Garuccio”
One moment of magic will live forever in not only Western United folklore, but also in the history of the Isuzu UTE A-League and world football.
With United leading Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 at AAMI Park in March, Prijovic bent a cross towards Ben Garuccio in the box but placed it just behind the marauding left-back.
That didn’t phase Garuccio, though, who flung himself in the air and sent the ball flying into the net with an outrageous scorpion kick, a highlight that went viral across the globe.
Chloe Logarzo’s match-winning cameo against Melbourne City
Western United and Melbourne City entered Round 5 of the Liberty A-League as the only teams sitting on perfect records. Cometh the hour, cometh the big names.
Chloe Logarzo sprung off the bench with the game tied at 1-1 and tipped the momentum in United’s favour, scoring a beauty from long-range to put the Green and Black back in front.
The No.6 continued to lead the team from midfield and wrapped up the victory with an injury-time penalty, sending United to the top of the table.
Lachie Wales’ first career hat-trick
Before Western United took on Perth Glory in Launceston in April, Max Burgess had scored the Club’s only hat-trick in March 2020. Enter, Lachie Wales.
While United’s No.8 didn’t know a great deal about the first as he deflected Connor Pain’s shot into the net, his second was outstanding as he plucked the ball out of the sky with a volley straight into the bottom left corner.
Garuccio then put Wales on a plate to thump home his third in first-half stoppage time, completing the first ever hat-trick of his professional career and just the second in the Club’s history.
Hannah Keane dominates Wellington Phoenix
After a memorable first match in the Liberty A-League Women against Melbourne Victory, Western United entered its Round 2 clash against Wellington Phoenix with consecutive wins on the mind.
That was exactly what was on the mind of Hannah Keane as the American star shone bright to put Wellington to the sword.
After setting up Jessica McDonald’s opener, Keane remained a constant threat to Wellington’s defence and scored two well-deserved goals late on, the second a bullet header from right on the penalty spot.
Honourable mentions
Theoharous and Holmes torment Goulburn Valley Suns to earn NPL 2 promotion
Western United’s Senior Academy side earned promotion to NPL 2 with a Play-Off win over Goulburn Valley Suns in August, a performance that was led by two players in particular.
Christian Theoharous assisted the first and scored the second himself before setting up Noah Holmes just after half-time to have United 3-0 up.
Holmes, who dominated the midfield on the day, scored a long-range bomb to make it 5-0 before Theoharous had a hand in the sixth and final goal, the pair running riot to move United up a division.
Cummings and Robers bring the heat in Adelaide
In sweltering conditions, it seemed as if Western United would fall to its first defeat in the Liberty A-League in Round 3 against Adelaide United, but Sydney Cummings and Emma Robers had something to say.
Cummings, having scored a week earlier against Wellington, struck an excellent shot from outside the box in the 91st minute, seemingly earning United a point.
But United wasn’t finished and Robers sent a left-footed volley flying into the net with the last action of the game, crowning an outstanding win for Mark Torcaso’s side.
