Stingrays eye crucial NSW Women's NPL1 showdown against Manly

The Illawarra side began their NSW Women's National Premier League One campaign with a draw and three losses, but are now on the verge of clinching four straight victories.

However, the Stingrays will face their toughest test yet on Sunday: hosting Manly at JJ Kelly Park. As they sit in sixth and seventh spots on the ladder, it's a critical contest for both teams.

Experienced defender Caitlin Cooper knows how important the game is for the Stingrays after their "rocky start" to the season.

"There's like a month left [until finals] so hopefully we can get on a good roll," Cooper said.

"We've got a hard game this week against Manly, which will be a good test again. We can't really slip up any more than we already have done."

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It's already been a big week for Cooper, who shored up her W-League future by re-signing with the Western Sydney Wanderers on Monday afternoon.

Cooper is among a host of Stingrays who play for the Wanderers, alongside Erica Halloway, Danika Matos, Chloe Middleton and the newly signed Olivia Price.

Cooper said Matos and Middleton, aged 20 and 23 respectively, had a bright future ahead of them.

"There's a lot of hard work to be done but I think if they put in the hard yards, and want to train those extra sessions, there's no reason why they can't be the next generation coming through which is exciting for them to be from Illawarra," she said.