- Record stood since 2008 when Sam Kerr was at Perth Glory
Sydney FC young gun Willa Pearson has broken Sam Kerr‘s 17-year-old record in becoming the youngest player to score in the A-League Women’s competition after helping her team beat Brisbane Roar 4-0.
The Sky Blues were dominant at Spencer Park on February 13, claiming their first victory under interim coach James Slaveski.
They took the lead in the 47th minute when Brisbane failed to clear a corner and Mackenzie Hawkesby finished at the near post.
Then on the hour mark it was Pearson, 15, who found the back of the net.
Already the youngest ever player in ALW history, having debuted as a 14-year-old in November against Melbourne City, Pearson became the youngest goalscorer at 15 years and 51 days.
Kerr scored her first goal for Perth Glory aged 15 years and 88 days in December of 2008.
Sydney FC young gun Willa Pearson has broken Sam Kerr’s 17-year-old record in becoming the youngest player to score in the A-League Women’s competition
Kerr scored her first goal for Perth Glory aged 15 years and 88 days in December of 2008
‘Oh my God — it’s definitely not a feat I thought I’d have, but I’m very, very happy,’ Pearson said.
‘As soon as I saw the opportunity, I thought, ‘I’ve got to get up here, otherwise I’m going to cop it.
‘So I pushed forward, slid in, and it happened to come off. A bit of beginner’s luck maybe.
‘As a team, I’m just so proud we put it all together. This is definitely the best we’ve played all season.’
Riley Tanner and Skye Halmarick scored late goals for Sydney FC.
Pearson is also a talented cricketer, playing at representative level for Manly-Warringah on Sydney’s northern beaches as a wicketkeeper.
Her sporting hero is Ellyse Perry, who also excelled at both sports as a youngster before focusing on cricket.
It proved to be an astute decision, with the all-rounder regarded as one of the greatest female cricketers of all time.
Perry, 35, made her debut for Australia in 2007 and remains an important member of the national squad.