Goalkeepers are often the most unheralded members of a team but every now and then they rise to be front and centre in the minds of fans everywhere.
The Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season was full of spectacular goals but it should be remembered as the year of the shot-stopper with a wide variety of incredible performances between the sticks.
See below for our pick of the saves of the season!
VIDEOS: Remember the Westfield W-League 2018/19 season that was
BEST OF: Top long-range stunners of the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season
BEST OF: Top free-kicks of the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season
Lydia Williams – Melbourne City
It was 0-0 in the Melbourne Derby and Victory’s Natasha Dowie would have surely thought she’d opened the scoring only for City custodian Lydia Williams to pull off a spectacular diving save.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5969670828001
Jada Whyman – Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney had a horror season all things considered but that didn’t mean there weren’t moments to make fans smile.
Jada Whyman did exactly that against eventual Premiers Victory in Melbourne, pulling off a fantastic double save to keep the hosts at bay.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5974461492001
Britt Eckerstrom – Newcastle Jets
This one almost ended up in our best free-licks category if not for the extraordinary reach of Britt Eckerstrom.
The Jets custodian did amazingly well to tip Elise Kellond-Knight’s set-piece into the crossbar and back into play.
Simply stunning.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5977283183001
Aubrey Bledsoe – Sydney FC
Staring down Sam Kerr is always a daunting prospect but Sky Blues keeper Aubrey Bledsoe managed to not only keep her feet and positional awareness whilst Kerr cut a swathe through Sydney’s defenders but also pull off a strong save when Kerr finally pulled the trigger.
Very professional stuff!
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5983088291001
Casey Dumont – Melbourne Victory
Another Melbourne Derby save but this time from the team in Navy Blue.
The ball popped up for Tameka Butt who hit a goal-bound volley only for Casey Dumont to re-adjust her position and stick out an arm to tip it away.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5986283030001
Eliza Campbell – Perth Glory
While not the most spectacular save, Eliza Campbell’s effort away to Newcastle Jets was certainly quality.
The Glory number one perfectly anticipated Jenna Kingsley’s shot, diving before she had even pulled the trigger to safely gather the ball.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5989036928001
Sarah Willacy – Adelaide United
Kylie Ledbrook’s shot should have finished a great team move by the Wanderers but Adelaide United goalkeeper Sarah Willacy had other ideas, getting a hand to a seemingly unstoppable effort to tip it over the bar.
Bravo.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5991736483001
Eliza Campbell – Perth Glory
Another Campbell effort rounds out our list who judged Erica Halloway’s header to perfection, just getting a hand to it to send it over the bar in the nick of time.
Fantastic composure from the Perth shot-stopper.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5996097779001
