Perth Glory’s bid to end Western United’s perfect start to the Liberty A-League Women season has come undone in heartbreaking fashion in a 3-2 loss at Macedonia Park.
Glory were on track for their second win of the season after goals either side of halftime to Rylee Baisden and Hana Lowry gave them a 2-1 lead.
United supersub Chloe Logarzo, still working her way back to full fitness after an ACL tear, levelled the scores in the 67th minute.
And the visitors snatched all three points when Glory substitute Demi Koulizakis put the ball into her own net while trying to clear Hannah Keane’s close-range shot off the line.
The result means United, in their first season in the women’s competition, have now won their opening five games.
Ninth-placed Glory have just five points from seven games, with their finals hopes in tatters.
The opening half was a thrilling affair with chances galore.
Glory went ahead in the seventh minute when Sofia Sakalis won the ball on the left flank before finding Cyera Hintzen, whose pass across the box was poked home by Baisden.
United levelled 10 minutes later thanks to a slice of luck.
Glory goalkeeper Sarah Langman did well to palm away Sydney Cummings’ header, but the ball bounced back off the crossbar and into the path of Keane, who bundled the ball in.
Perth attacker Sakalis should have done better in the 42nd minute when she found herself one-on-one against the goalkeeper.
Sakalis’ touch was too heavy, and she crumpled to the turf as goalkeeper Hillary Beall stretched out wide in front of her.
No contact was made, and Sakalis was handed a yellow card for simulation.
United twice hit the crossbar in first-half stoppage time, with Glory fortunate to enter halftime with just one goal scored against them.
Glory went 2-1 up in the 53rd minute when Lowry held off an opponent with strength before scoring from close range.
But the home side were made to pay dearly for a defensive lapse in the 67th minute.
Glory’s defenders looked flat-footed and out of position when Jessica McDonald put through a cross from the right.
The ball rolled across the box and into the path of Logarzo, who couldn’t believe her luck as she slammed through the goal.
There was more heartbreak to come for Glory, with Koulizakis’ bid to clear the ball off the line backfiring badly as she scuffed the shot into the net.
MATCHDAY BLOG
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points as the Sunday-afternoon action unfolds.
