In a rough clash against the physically imposing Mariners side, four United players had to spend time on the sidelines after coming off second best in tackles at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

Taiwanese import Lin Chiung-Ying ruptured her right anterior cruciate ligament in the 30th minute and her partner in central defence, Ellie Brush, also didn't finish the game after she succumbed to an ankle injury suffered just five minutes into the match.

Lin will miss the rest of the season, while Brush is expected to be out for at least a week.

It's a big blow ahead of United's home clash with an in-form Brisbane Roar this week.

But the signs for United were positive in the second half.

With United's two most experienced defenders off for most of the game, the the back four of Ellyse Perry, Bronwyn Studman, Bec Kiting and Nicole Sykes who are all aged under 19 didn't concede a goal. The midfield held strong and diminutive strikers Ashleigh Sykes and Tseng Shu O created scoring chances.

Maciejewski thought it would be a turning point in United's season.

''There was no mercy out there, it was every woman for themselves,'' Maciejewski said.

''But the girls put up a really good physical fight and showed a bit of grit and I think it has given the girls a lot of hope.

''To get that draw I think will be a really important step in the season, in my eyes it has anyway so I hope it has for everyone else, it showed that we can compete physically.''

Maciejewski also hoped that she could set an example for the injury-struck team.

The 22-year-old was another player who was limping at recovery yesterday, having played almost the full 90minutes on an ankle with a grade two ligament tear.

While she spent a few minutes off the pitch after copping a heavy knock in the first half, Maciejewski was still one of Canberra's best players.

''I just put all the pain behind me, when it comes to a game I just want to be out there,'' Maciejewski said.

''So hopefully I will be able to influence the girls a bit and show that if they have a niggle, they can play through it, but of course being smart about it as well.''