Lydia Grace Yilkari Williams (born 13 May 1988) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for A-League Women club Melbourne Victory and the Australia national team.
Williams previously played for Melbourne City and Canberra United in Australia's W-League; Reign FC, Houston Dash and the Western New York Flash in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States; Piteå IF in Sweden's Damallsvenskan; and Arsenal in England's FA Women's Super League (WSL).
Lydia Grace Yilkari Williams was born on 13 May 1988 in Katanning, Western Australia.
Williams was raised by her Aboriginal father and American mother in the regional mining town of Kalgoorlie.
She spent most of her primary school years in Kalgoorlie, where she attended St Joseph's School.
Williams' family left Kalgoorlie for Canberra when she was eleven years old.
2008
Williams joined Australian W-League team Canberra United in 2008 and made 11 appearances for the club as their starting goalkeeper during the 2009 W-League season.
Canberra finished in fourth place during the regular season with a record, earning a berth to the Playoffs.
Canberra was defeated 3–0 by eventual Grand Final winners, Sydney FC.
2010
She was awarded W-League Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2010–11, 2011–12, and 2016–17 seasons.
Inducted to the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame, she earned for her first cap for the Australian national team, commonly known as the Matildas, at age 16.
During the 2010–11 W-League, Williams was the starting goalkeeper in all eleven matches.
Canberra finished in third place with a record.
After advancing to the Playoffs, they faced Brisbane Roar in the semi-finals and tied 2–2 leading to a penalty kick shootout in which Canberra lost 2–4.
2011
Williams was twice-named PFA Women's Footballer of the Year for 2011–12 and 2015–16 and to the PFA W-League Team of the Season for 2016–17.
2014
In 2014, the Western New York Flash signed Williams to be their starting goalkeeper following a season-ending injury to Adrianna Franch.
Williams started 14 games in goal for the Flash.
She recorded two shutouts in 2014 prior to suffering a season-ending ACL injury while competing at the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup with the Australian national team.
In September 2014, Williams was waived by the Flash and was selected by Washington Spirit for the 2015 season, though she did not play for the team.
2015
After returning to Australia, Williams played for Canberra United for the 2015–16 W-League season.
She was the starting goalkeeper in the 10 games in which she played and helped Canberra finish second in the regular season with a record, earning a berth to the Playoffs.
Canberra was defeated 1–0 by Sydney FC's controversial goal in the semi-finals.
2016
In January 2016, Williams signed with the Houston Dash.
She was the starting goalkeeper in all 15 games that she played.
Two of her saves were voted Save of the Week by fans in Week 5 and 19.
The Dash finished in eighth place during the regular season with a record.
Following the season, Williams signed on loan with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 W-League.
Williams was the starting goalkeeper in 15 games helping Melbourne City finish in fourth place during the regular season with a record, securing a berth to the Finals.
Williams was described as "impenetrable" after holding Canberra United to a 1–0 shutout in extratime during the semi-final.
She continued her effective, defensive armour in the 2–0 win over Perth Glory in the Grand Final.
Williams was named the league's Goalkeeper of the Year following the season.
2017
Returning to Houston for the 2017 season, Williams made 8 starts in goal before being traded to Seattle Reign FC on August 31 in exchange for a 2018 2nd-round draft pick.
She made three starts in goal for the Reign during the remainder of the season.
The Reign finished in fifth place during the regular season.
In October 2017, Williams commenced pre-season training with Melbourne City, re-signing with them for the 2017–18 W-League season.
She made 12 starts in goal helping lead Melbourne City to a fourth-place season during the regular season and berth to the Finals.
After defeating the regular season premiers, Brisbane Roar, in a 2–0 shutout in the semi-final, Melbourne City faced Sydney FC in the Grand Final and won 2–0, clinching the team's third consecutive title.
2019
She is the author of the children's book, Saved!!!, published in 2019.
In November 2019, Williams authored a children's book called, Saved!!!, which drew on her life experiences, from growing up in the desert to achieving success as an Aboriginal female football player.
After playing junior football for Tuggeranong and Woden in the Australian Capital Territory, Williams joined the Australian Institute of Sport Football Program.
