Two stunning goals from Adelaide United’s Danielle Colaprico has thwarted Perth Glory’s bid to move to the top of the Westfield W-League ladder.
Glory dominated the match, but failed to make the most of their chances as Colaprico netted a brace in Adelaide’s 2-1 win at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday night.
Striker Rosie Sutton gave the home side the lead after just 10 minutes when she latched on a clever pass from her skipper Sam Kerr before sidestepping goalkeeper Sarah Willacy and hammering the ball into an empty net.
However, Colaprico caught the Glory defence napping in the 15th minute, striking a sweet left-foot goal from outside the box to put the contest back on even terms.
Kerr sensed an opportunity to put her side back in front in the 36th minute, but Willacy timed the run off her line perfectly to snuff out the chance, much to the chagrin of the 637-strong boisterous crowd.
American import Vanessa DiBernado played her best game of the season and was quick to spark her side into action in the second half, sending in deadly cross from the right which Kerr headed over the bar.
Willacy proved to be the thorn in Glory’s side, pulling off brilliant saves to deny Sutton, Kerr and Alyssa Mautz around the hour-mark.
DiBernado appeared to score in the 67th minute after tapping in a follow-up chance from close range, but Sutton was ruled offside following the first attempt.
The classy midfielder then sent a free kick from 30 yards cannoning into the crossbar in the 75th minute, continuing a frustrating night for Glory.
With six minutes left in the match, Colaprico silenced the home crowd with another stunning goal from a similar position on the pitch to seal an upset win for Adelaide.
DiBernado said her team was disappointing to lose after having more chances than their opponents.
“We definitely had the better of the chances, I think they had two shots for two goals,” DiBernardo said.
“It’s hard to lose that way but the good thing is that we created a tonne of chances.”
Glory is currently third on the Westfield W-League ladder, equal on 20 points with second-placed Canberra United and two behind leaders Sydney FC, with one round remaining in the regular season before the semi-finals.
“The best thing is that we’ve already made the final four, but we want to make the top two and, if we can, win the league,” DiBernardo said.
“That’s definitely our goal and we still have another game to get things going before the playoffs start.”
Kerr will miss next Sunday’s final regular season match against Western Sydney at Popondetta Park, kicking off at 12pm AWST, after receiving two yellow cards against the Reds.
Match Details
Perth Glory 1 (Rosie Sutton 10’)
Adelaide United 2 (Danielle Colaprico 15’, 84’)
Attendance: 637 at Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Assistants: Josh Mannella, Matthew Southern
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
SQUADS
PERTH GLORY: 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Kim CARROLL, 4. Alyssa MAUTZ, 7. Nicole STANTON, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 10. Vanessa DIBERNARDO, 13. Jaymee GIBBONS (14. Caitlin DOEGLAS 69’), 17. Natasha RIGBY, 18. Gabby DAL BUSCO (GK), 20. Samantha KERR (C), 22. Arianna ROMERO
Subs not used: 1. Melissa MAIZELS (GK), 5. Patricia CHARALAMBOUS, 8. Shawn BILLAM
Yellow cards: Nikki Stanton 51’, Samantha Kerr 79’
Red cards: Samantha Kerr 90’+1
ADELAIDE UNITED: 4. Emily HODGSON, 5. Monica HICKMAN ALVES, 10. Rachael QUIGLEY (6. Ally LADAS 75’), 11. Sofia HUERTA, 12. Adriana JONES, 14. Grace ABBEY, 15. Georgia CAMPAGNALE, 20. Sarah WILLACY (GK), 24. Danielle COLAPRICO, 25. Kathleen NAUGHTON (C), 30. Alexandra CHIDIAC
Subs not used: 13. Lucy ADAMOPOULOS, 16. Kelsey ZAFIRIDIS, 21. Claudia JENKINS (GK)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
