Attacking weapon Erica Halloway scored a double as Hannah Beard added to her tally to ensure Illawarra remain in the top four after three rounds. 

The Stingrays are fourth in the competition on goal difference, with four clubs locked on seven points to start the new season.

"It's a pretty good start to the year," Stingrays coach Scott Chipperfield said. 

"Seven points in three games has put us in a strong position.

"We obviously only got a point last week but were two goals down against Koalas and had been in control of the game until they scored as well."

Illawarra didn't have to come from behind again on the weekend after Halloway capitalised from a quick free kick.

Beard doubled the Rays' lead in the 44^th minute when she pounced on a loose ball that had been parried away by Rams keeper Sham Khamis. 

Macarthur gave themselves some hope when Rosie Galea curled her corner into the net in the 73^rd minute.

But Halloway sealed the points for the visitors 10 minutes later after latching onto Kahlia Hogg's corner and putting it in the bottom corner. 

"We played really well and it was a good win," Chipperfield said. 

"They are a strong team so to get the first goal in the match was important.

"We put Erica Halloway in the middle and tried to use our quickness to our advantage, attacking their slower players.

"When they scored it was a little bit nervy but we could have got a couple more towards the end."