Western Sydney coach Kat Smith has paid tribute to Jordyn Bloomer after the American goalkeeper made a crucial save to protect her side's 1-0 win over Wellington.
Desperately searching for an equaliser, the Phoenix worked the ball to Emily Clegg in a yard of space in the host's penalty area in the final seconds of Sunday's game at Wanderers Football Park.
But Bloomer, on loan from NWSL side Racing Louisville, came up strong to deny the teenager, securing the three points and keeping her side's hopes of finals alive.
Needing a result after Brisbane and Canberra picked up points, the Wanderers are now up to seventh and eight points back of fourth-placed Melbourne Victory with five matches to play.
"That's three points, she's just saved us three points there," Smith said.
"She certainly keeps us in games and has done all year.
"Crucial saves like she did there at the death gives us the three points and the clean sheet.
Comfortable in the first half without being dominant, Smith's side headed into the main break ahead thanks to Sophie Harding's second goal in as many games, the 23-year-old rising to meet an Amy Harrison corner and glance a header home in the 40th minute.
But Phoenix improved in the second, Emily Clegg and Grace Wisnewski both shooting from range early in the second 45 before Paige Satchell sent a header from a corner over the bar just before the hour.
Clegg was then denied by Bloomer at the last.
The Kiwis are now engaged in a battle to avoid a second-successive wooden spoon and are five points back of second-bottom Newcastle with a game in hand.
"It was a game of two halves," Smith said.
"We had great control of the first half with the chances we created and getting that scoreboard pressure on.
"I spoke to the girls at halftime about how Wellington may be similar to us in that people are going to look at results, unfairly [compared to watching] the performances they've but able to put out on the park.
"They made changes to get back into the game ... we were chasing a second and they were on the counter trying to peg us back.
"We'll look to try and manage those games; while we're trying to put that pressure on the scoreboard, make sure we're limiting and nullifying any of their threats."
