The Westfield Matildas have cruised to a 4-nil triumph over Haiti in today's international friendly at the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis.
Ashley Brown, Katie Gill and Kyah Simon scored first half goals before Michelle Heyman added a fourth late on, ensuring Australia opened their three-game tour of the United States with a convincing, yet hard-earned victory.
The positive result in what was Australia's first meeting with Haiti at any level is the perfect tonic ahead of upcoming friendlies against the United States – the recently crowned Olympic Games gold medalists and number one ranked side in women's football.
"It was good to get the hit out, that's the first thought," said Westfield Matildas coach Tom Sermanni after the match.
"We are pleased in the sense that we sort of finished the game early with three quick goals, which was good, we've come through the game with a clean sheet, which was good and we've come through without any injuries.
"I thought we looked a bit rusty as the game wore on and that was to be expected, particularly playing on this artificial field and after the long flight.
"All in all, when you put all the factors together, I was very pleased with the outcome."
The Westfield Matildas opened their account with just four minutes on the clock.
Melbourne-based winger Brown – making her fourth senior appearance in green and gold – swung in a precise corner that Haiti custodian Edny Limase could only parry into her own net.
Gill doubled Australia's advantage on twelve minutes with a precise finish after some delightful lead up from Emily van Egmond.
Well and truly back in the Westfield Matildas fold after missing last year's FIFA Women's World Cup due to injury, Gill underlined her quality in dispatching her 35th international goal.
When Simon found the back of the net with a cool header from a well-worked short corner three minutes later, the floodgates threatened to open.
But, due largely to the tenacious Haitians stemming the Westfield Matildas' chances on goal, Australia's tally remained at three until close to full-time.
Substitute Heyman – who claimed the Westfield W-League Golden Boot last season – headed home Danielle Brogan's free kick with seven minutes to play.
In the lead up to the goal, the Haitian goalkeeper collided with a defensive counterpart, forcing the referee to bring an end to proceedings slightly before time.
At the other end, Sermanni handed Melbournian goalkeeper Brianna Davey her Westfield Matildas debut, with the 17-year-old solid throughout her first taste of senior international football.
Davey was one of seven teenagers to play some part in the match for Australia, a positive sign for the Westfield Matildas with their next shot at a FIFA Women's World Cup and Olympic Games qualification still two years away.
"It's promising at the moment and we're hopeful that all those teenagers continue to improve as they get older," said Sermanni.
"We think we've got some real talent in the squad, tours like this are a great opportunity and a great learning experience for those players.
"Even the game tonight was a great learning experience and certainly the games against the United States will be fantastic for the players who haven't a played a country of such stature."