Bledsoe earns clean sheet, Staab and Thomas clash in W-League round 10

Washington Spirit  |   January 20, 2020
Bledsoe earns clean sheet, Staab and Thomas clash in W-League round 10 Featured Image

Mason Cavalier
Washingtonspirit.com

Boyds, Md., (1/20/20) – Three players from the Washington Spirit were in action during round 10 of the Australian W-League this weekend. 

Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe kept a clean sheet for Sydney FC against the Brisbane Roar while defender Sam Staab and the Western Sydney Wanderers took on forward Crystal Thomas and the Brisbane Roar.

Bledsoe had another fabulous performance between the posts as she worked to keep a potent Brisbane side off of the score sheet. The prolific shot-stopper made seven saves on the day, including a world-class close-range save to deny Brisbane midfielder Tameka Yellop.

[WATCH: Bledsoe steps up to keep it level]

Thanks to Bledsoe’s heroics, the Sky Blues secured a well-earned point, keeping them at third on the table behind league-leaders Melbourne City and second-place Western Sydney. 

In Western Sydney, Staab and the Wanderers welcomed Thomas and the Glory as the two Spirit starters faced off. Western Sydney grabbed the lead in the third minute thanks to a Caitlin Cooper goal, eventually winning 3-1 despite an equalizer from Perth and Caitlin Doeglas in the 53rd minute.

Staab was back in her usual role, anchoring the Western Sydney backline and distributing the ball often. Staab made 75 touches, second-most on the team, while completing 50 passes at an 80% rate. Staab won seven of her nine duels on the day, also making three interceptions and a tackle. 

Thomas was active as part of the Perth front two with Kat Jukic, making a tackle from the front and winning seven duels. Despite not getting on the score sheet, Thomas generated two shots on the day and created a chance. Thomas proved hard to handle for the Sydney back four as she also won four fouls on the day. 

Staab and Bledsoe will be back in action on February 15 at 1 am ET for the second Sydney Derby of the year, a potentially crucial match as both teams sit at 19 points with four rounds remaining. Thomas and the Glory will return to face the Newcastle Jets on January 23 at 3:30 am ET.

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