Former University of Kentucky star Arin Gilliland scored three goals Saturday to help keep the Newcastle Jets’ playoff hopes alive in the Australian W-League.
Gilliland, who was named among the NWSL’s best eleven last season as a defender for the Chicago Red Stars, has been playing a midfield role down under, and she proved unstoppable in the Jets’ next to last game of the regular season.
The win against league leaders Sydney FC vaulted the Jets in to fifth place in the standings. A win Friday against fourth place Melbourne City FC would clinch a playoff spot.
Gilliland, on loan from the Red Stars, opened the scoring 10 minutes into the second half, pouncing on a bounding ball during a scramble in front of the goal. In the 74th minute, she headed a looping ball over the keep from a deep cross. She completed the hat trick after a Sydney mistake left her a wide-open net four minutes later. It was her fourth goal of the season for the Jets.
“That drive back to Newie was a lot more comfortable with those 3 points! #togetherwecansoar @newcastlejetswomen,” she posted on her Instagram account Saturday.
Regarded by her former coach Jon Lipsitz as the greatest women’s player ever at Kentucky, Gillland played for West Jessamine High School. Her club teams included Ohio Elite and Lexington FC.
Earlier in the week, the Jets featured her in a profile on their website.
#WLeague Highlights! 🎥 @SydneyFC 1 (@KyahSimon) @JetsWomen 3 (@agilli16 x3) the 🇺🇸 stars keep the 🛩 alive for finals!#BeReal #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/GCqUfGd9Jf
— Westfield W-League (@WLeague) January 23, 2017
