Forward Emma Main has grabbed a goal double, as Wellington Phoenix rounded off their most successful Women's A-League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Western Sydney.
With a goal in each half, the home side completed their 2023/24 campaign with nine wins and draw from 22 games, after totalling just five wins across their first two seasons.
Main's first goal came from a pinpoint leftfooted cross from forward Manaia Elliott, met by her diving teammate to header home.
American Hope Breslin laid on the second goal, playing a long ball that held up in the wind for Main, who still had to beat a defender and goalkeeper Sham Khamis with her rightfoot effort.
The result leaves the Phoenix in eighth on the competition table - two spots out of the playoffs - but it may also deprive their opponents post-season aspirations. Western Sydney share sixth with Melbourne Victory, but hold the upperhand on a countback of wins.
Victory can leapfrog into the playoffs with a win over tabletoppers Sydney on Sunday.
The occasion also saw Mackenzie Barry become the first Phoenix woman to log 50 games for the club.
"I'm so relieved, I'm so happy," she said. "I'm proud of everyone and proud of myself.
"It's been a long road and to get 50 caps is amazing. I'm honoured and happy to do it with the Phoenix."
Wellington Phoenix 2 (Main 2) Western Sydney 0
Forward Emma Main has grabbed a goal double, as Wellington Phoenix rounded off their most successful Women's A-League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Western Sydney.
With a goal in each half, the home side completed their 2023/24 campaign with nine wins and draw from 22 games, after totalling just five wins across their first two seasons.
Main's first goal came from a pinpoint leftfooted cross from forward Manaia Elliott, met by her diving teammate to header home.
American Hope Breslin laid on the second goal, playing a long ball that held up in the wind for Main, who still had to beat a defender and goalkeeper Sham Khamis with her rightfoot effort.
The result leaves the Phoenix in eighth on the competition table - two spots out of the playoffs - but it may also deprive their opponents post-season aspirations. Western Sydney share sixth with Melbourne Victory, but hold the upperhand on a countback of wins.
Victory can leapfrog into the playoffs with a win over tabletoppers Sydney on Sunday.
The occasion also saw Mackenzie Barry become the first Phoenix woman to log 50 games for the club.
"I'm so relieved, I'm so happy," she said. "I'm proud of everyone and proud of myself.
"It's been a long road and to get 50 caps is amazing. I'm honoured and happy to do it with the Phoenix."
Wellington Phoenix 2 (Main 2) Western Sydney 0
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