The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 1 Women’s side travels to Christie Park on Sunday to take on NWS Spirit as they look to avoid their third defeat in a row.
The Wanderers Women’s NPL side will look to get their season back on track against an in-form NWS Spirit who are coming off a monumental two-nil win over competition heavyweights Apia Leichhardt.
The Red and Black are now staring down the barrel of a potential third consecutive defeat, following a frustrating 1-0 loss to Sydney University – decided by a costly error just before halftime.
They will look to get back on track and potentially welcome back the likes of Talia Kapetanellis and Sienna Arrarte to the squad. Due to the absences, Anika Stajcic found herself in midfield last week as the young attacker continues to flourish in this exciting side.
The absences opened the door for Alyssa McKenzie and Olivia Vanderlaan to step into the starting lineup, and while they didn’t find the back of the net, both caused problems for the Sydney University defence. Vanderlaan was particularly impressive, showcasing her football intelligence and consistently positioning herself in dangerous areas, proving to be a constant threat throughout the match.
The Key Decider: Skye Halmarick v Miriam Zumaya
Arguably the two most influential players in their respective teams in the last few rounds.
Skye Halmarick has been in red-hot form, netting five goals in her last two outings. With ten goals in the opening nine rounds, the Spirit striker currently tops the league’s scoring charts. A dominant presence in the competition, Halmarick is expected to pose a significant threat to the Wanderers’ centre backs this weekend.
Miriam Zumaya, on the other hand, has been a key figure in the Red and Black’s recent performances. Her creativity and composure in crucial moments have nearly paid off on several occasions. Operating effectively on both flanks, the young winger has impressed with her form over the past month and remains a vital attacking outlet for the Wanderers.
More recently, stepping in on the left wing for Talia Kapetanellis, Zumaya was the driving force behind several attacking opportunities in the match against Sydney University. Had it not been for a few missed finishes, she could have easily walked away with multiple assists, underlining her growing influence in the final third.
Whichever player can take control of the game could well be the difference, with both teams sitting in similar positions on the table and eager to gain an edge. With the quality each side possesses, either of these talented players has the ability to change the game with a single moment of brilliance.
Expect an exciting game where both teams will be vying for all three points.
NPL Women’s NSW Round 10
NWS Spirit v Western Sydney Wanderers
Sunday 11 May 2025, 5:00pm
Christie Park
