Goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom proves the difference on Saturday evening, as Newcastle Jets earn a famous point away at Perth Glory in the Westfield W-League.
The 25-year-old did her chances of a call-up to the USA national team no harm at all as she pulled off a string of excellent second-half saves to keep free-scoring Glory at bay.
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Having come back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 through two strikes in two minutes from Katie Stengel, Jets were reduced to 10 players when defender Larissa Crummer was shown a red card for bringing down Perth forward Sam Kerr on 26 minutes.
Eckerstrom, who has played for her country at U17 level, stood no chance as Kerr dusted herself off and smashed home the resultant penalty.
UNBEATABLE
But the Jets keeper was unbeatable after that, as she turned in a second-half performance for the ages for Craig Deans’ side to deny Glory, who had 25 attempts on goal.
Jets’ hearts were in their mouths on the hour mark when Westfield Matildas star Kerr burst through unopposed, but Eckerstrom scrambled the ball away in a one-on-one before forcing the Glory No.10 wide enough that she fired into the side-netting.
The Maryland stopper denied Kerr again 14 minutes later, but the pick of an impressive bunch came in the 78th minute, when she flew to her right to beat out a goalbound effort from Glory’s Shannon May, who was playing her 100th match in the Westfield W-League.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5979900202001
May would later see another fine effort crash back of the upright, while Eckerstrom was also on hand to deny substitute Caitlin Doeglas and stop an added-time free-kick from Nikki Stanton as Glory pushed for a winner against the tiring Jets.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5979908320001
90+5’ | SAVE
Another one! Britt Eckerstrom has been immense tonight, and she pushed that free kick away deep in injury time #PERvNEW #WLeague #MadeOfNewcastle
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) December 15, 2018
Eckerstrom’s player of the match performance helped her side end a run of two successive defeats and lifted them to within two points of fourth-place Adelaide United.
