ST. LOUIS, MO (November 2, 2009) Kendall Fletcher and Jillian Loyden’s loan spell to the Central Coast Mariners of Australia’s W-League continues to go well. Their latest result was a 1-1 draw with Canberra United on Halloween Saturday.

Canberra struck first after being awarded a penalty in just the second minute of play. Ellie Brush delivered a shot high and to the left of Athletica’s Jillian Loyden, giving the Saint Louis deputy keeper no chance of making a save.

Loyden did well later in the first half to keep the score line at 1-0. Loyden made a desperate save for the Mariners in 17th minute denying Canberra’s Ashleigh Sykes. The save would prove significant and help turn the momentum, which Loyden’s Athletica teammate would capitalize on.

Athletica midfielder Kendall Fletcher struck just seven minutes later when Samantha Spackman played her into space with a great ball that Fletcher tucked home from a tight angle. Fletcher now has two goals in her last two games. Her first of the year was a second half penalty shot in a 5-1 win over Newcastle on October 24.

Fletcher wasn’t done, she nearly struck the game-winner in the 71st minute, only to have her shot parried over by Canberra’s keeper Lydia Williams. Both teams would have chances in the games final minutes but few were on target, as evidenced by Loyden not having to make any crucial saves late in the second half.

"Both sides had their chances out their today and we did well to get back into the match, especially after that first goal,” said Fletcher. "I think our combinations improved as the game went on, and we defended well today as we have been doing all season."

Fletcher and Loyden will next be in action on Saturday November 7 when their Central Coast Mariners face the Perth Glory. The Mariners remain in second overall in the W-League standings. The Mariners are three points behind the Brisbane Roar and ahead of third-place Sydney FC on goal differential.