Western United have started the season with a bang, overpowering Wellington Phoenix 4-2 in the 2024-25 Ninja A-League curtain-raiser.
There were five first-half goals in a frantic start to the season at Ironbark Fields in Tarneit, where the Phoenix broke the deadlock on Friday night.
An own goal via Western United debutant Sasha Grove saw Wellington take a 15th-minute lead but that is as good as it got for the visitors, with the 2022-23 runners-up scoring four unanswered goals.
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Captain Chloe Logarzo and Aimee Medwin scored twice in as many minutes before Kahli Johnson and Catherine Zimmerman struck within a minute of each other to blitz the Phoenix, who did pull a goal back in the 82nd minute.
For Logarzo, it extended her goalscoring run to four straight matches in the A-Leagues, dating back to last season. The CommBank Matildas star has now scored five goals in four games.
“Just goals are an accumulation of the team’s bi-product and I’m on the receiving end of that,” Logarzo said post-match.
“I feel very honour to be captain. To represent these girls and the club, I don’t take it lightly,” Logarzo added. “Going out there and trying to put it all out there.
“Leading into a really big season and hopefully bringing some silverware home.”
Western head coach Kat Smith said: “That’s what you want – to play at home and get the win. That’s the first one for the A-League Women at Ironbark Fields.
“That’s what you want to do to create a fortress here, and score goals. Tick, tick, tick.”
There were a number of debutants on a sunny evening in Tarneit, where Grove, Emily Roach and Isobel Dehakiz were making their Western United bows, while Chloe Lincoln was on the bench after her maiden Matildas call-up.
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As for the visiting Phoenix, Portuguese goalkeeper Carolina Vilao, American midfielder Maya McCutcheon and Japanese winger Mebae Tanaka all debuted as Grace Jale started after re-joining Wellington in the off-season.
Perhaps inspired by Kyra Cooney-Cross’ wondergoal for the Matildas against Germany, Logarzo nearly caught out Vilao with an audacious long-range attempt inside four minutes.
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But aside from that, it was an impressive start by Wellington, who showcased their short-sharp passing and movement.
Following some sustained pressure, the Phoenix breached Western in the 15th minute – Tanaka celebrated after the ball found the back of the net but Grove was credited with the own goal.
That sparked a frantic four minutes as Western – beaten in the 2023-24 Elimination Final – scored two quick-fire goals.
Within moments of falling behind, the home side restored parity against the run of play – Grace Maher’s brilliant pass unleashed Logarzo, who eventually slotted the ball underneath Phoenix keeper Vilao.
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Then, Medwin tapped home the go-ahead goal two minutes later following some great work via Johnson.
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Johnson went from provider to goalscorer in the 39th minute as the Phoenix became their own worst enemy with half-time approaching and it got worse a minute when Vilao fumbled her attempt to claim a deflected shot in a chaotic moment, with Zimmerman poking the ball home on the goal line.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium in the second half but Wellington should have had their second in the 64th minute. However, Alyssa Whinham wasted a gilt-edged chance as her shot was straight at the Western keeper.
Emma Main’s 82nd-minute penalty reduced the deficit during the closing stages and gave the ‘Nix a glimmer of hope, but it was too little, too late.
