The message from Michelle Heyman to Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus was loud and clear – I’m back.
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With her goal-scoring troubles from a season ago well and truly in the past, the Canberra United striker continued her hot start to the W-League in Sunday’s 2-0 win against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Heyman scored one and set-up another at McKellar Park with de Reus watching from the stands.
Her timing couldn’t have been better before the Matildas play two internationals against China on November 24 and 27 in Wollongong and Parramatta respectively.
After a double in the 3-0 win against Brisbane Roar to start the season, Heyman now boasts an incredible strike-rate of 38 goals from 50 W-League appearances.
Heyman was an integral part of United’s championship-winning 2011-12 campaign, claiming the Golden Boot.
But the goals dried up last season when she found the back of the net just twice and United missed the finals.
“Hopefully [de Reus] can see that and play me as a No.9 instead of out on the wing,’’ Heyman said.
“The Matildas game is in my home town [of Wollongong] so I’m pretty excited about that game.’’
Heyman is one of four Canberra United players in the Matildas squad alongside keeper Lydia Williams, who has yet to be beaten in 180 minutes of action this season, and twin sisters Ashleigh and Nicole Sykes.
The dangerous Heyman was just one of many positives for a United side which is unbeaten after two games.
US international Lori Lindsey was again impressive, showing her guile to deliver a clever through-ball for Heyman to latch on to in the 25th minute.
Heyman then became provider five minutes before halftime, threading the needle for Stephanie Ochs as the American opened her W-League goal-scoring account.
United pressed for a third goal in the second half, but were denied again and again by several impressive saves from Wanderers goalkeeper Dimi Poulos.
The visitors started out the stronger of the two sides in the opening exchanges as United displayed nerves of performing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season.
“We kind of panicked a little bit in the first 20 minutes,’’ Heyman said.
United have the week off because their round three game with Sydney FC has been rescheduled due to the Sky Blues’ involvement in the world club championship in Japan.
United’s next game is against Brisbane Roar in Canberra on December 8.