Goals from Josie Aulicino and Michelle Heyman helped Canberra to a 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Josie Aulicino led the home side with goals in the 10th and 66th minute, before Michelle Heyman broke her goal drought and saw her side to a comfortable victory at McKellar Park.
The three points takes Canberra United above Wellington Phoenix and into second place in the Ninja A-League as the competition breaks for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Western Sydney remain in 10th and will need a string of victories to keep their finals hopes alive.
Canberra United continued their habit of scoring early goals when, just 10 minutes in, Elizabeth Anton headed down a lofted ball into the path of Josie Aulicino who volleyed home with her left foot.
Aulicino rode the momentum from her early goal and struck the bar with a long distance strike. Shamiran Khamis was called into action again to deny Bethany Gordon’s powerful effort from a tight angle soon after.
Aulicino, who had refused to go away since opening the scoring, received the ball outside the area and sent a rocket into the top-left corner with her right foot, doubling the hosts’ lead after 66 minutes.
The moment finally came for Michelle Heyman in the 75th minute when she broke her eight-game goal drought by poking home a loose ball in the area.
Aulicino gave the home fans one more moment of excitement when she unleashed another long-range rocket that struck the crossbar in stoppage time.
Western Sydney return to action in the Ninja A-League when they take on Melbourne Victory on March 14. Canberra will face league-leaders Melbourne City on March 15.
