On January 30 last year - the same day Sam Kerr allegedly racially abused a police officer in London - the superstar striker was on cloud nine.
The Chelsea goal machine had just scored a hat-trick against Liverpool as the Blues won 3-2 to move into the fifth round of the women's FA Cup.
The clash was played on home soil at Kingsmeadow - and at fulltime Kerr posted an image on Instagram from the ground alongside her now fiancée, Kristie Mewis.
'Into the next round,' Kerr posted at the time, with both footballers beaming as they hugged on the side of the pitch.
What allegedly unfolded hours later will now be played out in court, with Kerr accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to a police officer during an alleged incident in Twickenham in southwest London on January 30 last year.
The 30-year-old, who wore a white T-shirt under a black suit jacket as she appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link, spoke only to confirm her identity and to enter a not guilty plea to the charge on Monday.
Kerr was informed she is obliged to attend a four-day trial, scheduled for next February, during which two police officers are expected to give evidence.
Judge Judith Elaine Coello said it was understood the footballer's defence would be that her intention was not to upset the policeman.
'I understand that the defence is that she didn't intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer, [her behaviour] did not amount to it and it was not racially aggravated,' the judge asked Kerr's barrister, Grace Forbes.
The charge comes as Kerr, who has scored 99 goals in 128 matches for Chelsea since signing for the club in 2019, is sidelined with a anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during the club's training camp in Morocco in January.
Kerr has won four Women's Super League titles with Chelsea, as well as three FA Cups, two Women's League Cups and the Women's Community Shield in 2020.
Last November, Kerr and fellow professional player Kristie Mewis, 32, who currently plays for West Ham United, confirmed they were engaged to be married.
Meanwhile, the loved up couple uploaded a cryptic post as Catarina Macario entered the fray for Chelsea against Leicester in a league match on March 4.
Macario, 24, has been sidelined for 641 days due to an ACL injury and marked her debut for the Blues with a goal after just six minutes.
The USWNT forward will be a straight swap for Kerr as Emma Hayes' squad chase more silverware this season.