Brisbane Roar plays its final A-League match of the season Thursday without any hope of qualifying for the Finals series, but it does present 25-year-old American Shea Connors with an opportunity to add one final flourish to a breakthrough season in Australia's top division.
The Roar were in action Monday against Newcastle Jets with Connors partnering Australian international Larissa Crummer in attack. The St. John's University graduate had four goals in 11 league appearances entering the game and she added two more to move joint-sixth in the division in total goals.
Connors struck the first one well, but it wasn't a glorious moment for Newcastle keeper Claire Coelho.
Claire Coelho goes for the spectacular and the ball ends up in the back of her net.#BRIvNEW on @ParamountPlusAU #WeAreALeagues pic.twitter.com/J0lw4Bc9GL
— Liberty A-League (@aleaguewomen) March 7, 2022
The second one had everything: pace, balance, composure and a rewarding finish.
Connors enjoyed a standout four-year career at St. Johns, where she made the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team her freshman year and tallied four goals and five assists her junior season.
She began her professional career in Iceland with KR Reykjavík before playing in Australia's National Premier League Women's (NPLW) with Logan Lightning. Her performances in the second division captured Brisbane's attention, and a strong end to the current campaign — the club has won three straight, including one over Melbourne City — has the team looking forward to next season.
After dominating the league and securing an A-League contract with Brisbane Roar FC, Shea Connors from @lionsfc1 also takes out the Player of the Year award!
Shea also picked up the Golden Boot award, scoring an incredible 39 goals from 24 games pic.twitter.com/7EN0QIYxHh— Football Queensland (@FootballQLD) October 30, 2021
