Four Portland Thorns FC players saw action in week six of the Westfield W-League as Ashleigh Sykes and Canberra United hosted Hayley Raso, Celeste Boureille and the Brisbane Roar, while Emily Sonnett and Sydney FC took on Melbourne Victory on Friday.
After winning their last three in a row, Sykes and her Canberra side were stymied by a streaking Brisbane team—who collected their third win in as many games with Raso and Boureille's side coming out as 1-0 winners. Raso, Boureille and Sykes each were tabbed for the start at McKellar Park, the latter playing 74 minutes while the Roar representatives put in a full 90.
Sykes laid off 16 passes, good for a 62.5% accuracy clip, in her performance, while taking a shot from inside the box during the match. Boureille also connected with her teammates for 55 passes at a 80% accuracy rate and took two shots. However, it was Raso who found herself in the middle of a number of exciting runs during the game. The 23-year-old striker nearly earned an assist with a dangerous ball through the box in the 19th minute, before her own attempt on goal in the 24th minute on hung just wide of the empty-net target. Raso would complete the day with six shots and 31 passes and a yellow card for a foul on Sykes.
Sonnett returned to Sydney FC's starting squad on Friday—following her absence due to international duty—and helped the Sky Blues through rainy conditions to nab a 2-0 victory over rival Melbourne Victory. The 24-year-old defender went 90 strong minutes in the match, and with the win, Sydney FC jumps out of the cellar moving up three places into sixth.
