Marisa van der Meer made an inspiring goalscoring return as Wellington Phoenix started the Bev Priestman era with a 1-1 draw against Canberra United in the Ninja A-League.
After two heart-breaking anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, Van der Meer returned to the Ninja A-League field for the first time since November 25, 2023 and the New Zealand youth international capped her long-awaited comeback with a goal on Saturday.
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In Olympic champion Priestman’s first match in charge after Wellington’s Round 1 bye, the Phoenix earned a point at Sky Stadium following Van der Meer’s 39th-minute strike that cancelled out Josephine Aulicino’s opener.
It was also Canberra’s first point of the season following their week-one defeat to Newcastle Jets.
Match highlights
Key moments
American opens her Canberra account
Canberra hit the front inside 18 minutes in Wellington, where Josephine Aulicino’s cross-cum-shot found the back of the net.
It was the American’s first in the A-Leagues after arriving from Victoria’s NPL, while she set a record for the Northwestern University’s football program having contributed 25 goals and 31 assists in 87 matches.
Heart-warming moment for Kiwi defender
The Phoenix, though, responded via Van der Meer six minutes before half-time.
In a game that saw the likes of Nepalese star Sabitra Bhandari, champion Brooke Nunn and Netherlands international Tessel Middag debut for Wellington, it was Van der Meer who stepped forward.
Van der Meer bundled the ball over the line in a significant moment for the 23-year-old defender, who has been struck down by injuries in recent seasons – a goal 714 days in the making.
Her celebration, among Wellington team-mates, said it all.
“She did tell me she’s scored a few times here and she actually scored a set play goal in training yesterday as well so there was something in the air for Marisa,” Priestman said.
“She’s obviously had a tough run with two ACLS so to come back and go and score in the opening game is a credit to her.”
What they said
Hear from Wellington Phoenix captain CJ Bott and Canberra United legend Michelle Heyman following Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
CJ Bott – Wellington Phoenix captain
Michelle Heyman – Canberra United skipper
