![Courtney Nevin celebrating with teammates following her assist in Leicester City's 4-2 away win over Bristol City [IMAGE: X - @TheMatildas]](https://www.theinnersanctum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Nevin-Header.png)
Courtney Nevin celebrating with teammates following her assist in Leicester City's 4-2 away win over Bristol City [IMAGE: X - @TheMatildas]
Ten of thirteen Aussies, including two debutants, turned out in the opening round of fixtures in the Women’s Super League for the 2023/24 season- here is a recap of how each player fared across the opening matchday.
Arsenal (1-0 home loss to Liverpool):
Caitlin Foord
Into her fifth WSL season, Foord put in a big shift at left-wing as her Arsenal side lost 1-0 at home to Liverpool in front of a record-breaking 54,115 fans. Foord was the bright spark for her side, with the most shots in the match with five, including one which hit the post, as well as winning the most duels in the match with seven.
Steph Catley
Catley herself is into her fourth WSL season and was sound at right full-back in the Gunners opening match, despite a heavy touch leading to Liverpool gaining possession for their goal. She completed her passes at 81 per cent, which was the third-best in the match.
Kyra Cooney-Cross
Cooney-Cross came off the bench into midfield in the 86th minute for her WSL debut after her move from Hammarby IF in Denmark. The 21-year-old did not have much time to make an impact, however, with only four touches in the remaining minutes of the match, but her appearance ensured ‘Ausenal’ had three Aussies on the pitch.
Brighton & Hove Albion (2-1 away win over Everton):
Charlie Rule
Following her move from Sydney FC, Charlie Rule made a positive impact off the bench in midfield for Brighton in their 2-1 away win over Everton in her WSL debut. The 20-year-old was bright in her 15-minute spell, with one chance created from just twenty-four touches, as well as four recoveries, and four ground duels won at 100 per cent.
Mackenzie Hawkesby
Hawkesby did not make her WSL debut following her move from Sydney FC. The midfielder was an unused substitute for Brighton in the match.
Chelsea (2-1 home win over Tottenham):
Sam Kerr
Into her fifth WSL season, Kerr was deemed not fit enough to make the squad for Chelsea’s 2-1 home win over Tottenham, following the calf injury she sustained for the Matildas at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She will be in the Chelsea squad to face Manchester City in Round Two and will hope to fire up front for the defending Champions.
Everton (2-1 home loss to Brighton and Hove Albion):
Clare Wheeler
Wheeler came on in midfield in the 85th minute for her second WSL season with Everton in their 2-1 home loss to Brighton and Hove Albion. She only managed four touches in the remaining minutes of the match.
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Leicester City (4-2 win away over Bristol City):
Courtney Nevin
Nevin picked up an assist from left full-back in Leicester City’s 4-2 away win over Bristol City, as well as completing 34 passes at a completion rate of 79 per cent, which was the second-best in the match.
Into her second WSL season, she set up Leicester’s second goal, which gave them a 2-1 lead in the 49th minute; she also delivered 16 passes in the final third and had eight recoveries in the match.
Remy Siemsen
Siemsen will miss the opening six to seven weeks of the WSL season, according to Leicester City manager Willie Kirk, following an ankle injury she picked up in the latter stages of pre-season. The forward will hope to return and fire for the Foxes into her second season with the club.
Liverpool (1-0 away win over Arsenal):
Teagan Micah
Micah did not make her WSL debut following her move from FC Rosengård in Sweden as she was the backup goalkeeper for Liverpool in their 1-0 away win over Arsenal. She will hope to bide her time and earn a starting spot this season.
Manchester City (2-0 away win over West Ham):
Alana Kennedy
Kennedy played the full 90 minutes and helped them keep a clean sheet for Manchester City in their 2-0 away win over West Ham. Into her third season at City, she will hope to keep up her fitness and start at centre-half week in, week out.
Mary Fowler
Into her second WSL season, 20-year-old Mary Fowler was given a start at left-wing for City in what is a promising sign of her potential minutes this season. She played the full 90 minutes and created one chance, while she had the third-best pass completion rate in the match with 88 per cent.
West Ham (2-0 home loss to Manchester City):
Mackenzie Arnold
Now into her fourth WSL season, Arnold was named as the new West Ham captain ahead of the 2023/24 WSL season and put in a good performance, although this effort was in vain in her side’s 2-0 home loss to Manchester City. Arnold saved a penalty from Chloe Kelly and made six other saves but her side succumbed to the Cityzens, in the end.
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