Round 21 Preview – State League Women’s
We have arrived at the pointy end of the season with the Premiership and finals spots up for grabs in a frantic last round of action.
University of NSW Lions vs St George FC, Sunday 28th August 2016, David Phillips Field, 3pm
UNSW Lions can hoist themselves into third position if results fall their way as they host St George FC.
The Lions were below par as they laboured to a 1-1 draw against Parramatta FC which disappointed coach Renato Jelen.
Rachelle Godman needs to bag a brace for the Lions if she wants to take the top goalscorer’s title from APIA’s Christina Ferreyra.
St George FC will want to play spoiler this weekend and with Marissa Nicopoulos up front makes for a tightly contested game.
Western NSW Mariners FC vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 28th August 2016, Glen Willow Stadium, 3pm
Western NSW Mariners can win the premiership if APIA slip up and they secure three points in their final home game of the season at Mudgee.
The Mariners missed Samantha Wood in a fiery 0-0 draw against SD Raiders while Gladesville piled on the goals against Mt Druitt.
Top scorer Isabella Breukelaar has 17 goals for the season and if the Ravens are to prise open the league’s best defense she needs to be on form alongside hat-trick hero from last weekend Paige Vansaarloos.
For the home side – they need to improve their finishing but Michael Godbier is confident they can get the required result and possibly steal the premiership.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Parramatta FC, Sunday 28th August 2016, Popondetta Park, 3pm
Two teams looking to end the season on a high come together at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
Parramatta FC come into the game on a high after Yadira Renfigo’s goal secured their first point of the season against high flying UNSW Lions.
The home side has toiled hard this season with a young squad which will improve in coming seasons and know six of their nine points this season have come against this opponent.
Lisa Fressard and Nubia Lopez will be key to unlocking a determined Parramatta FC midfield and ending the season with three points.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers vs SD Raiders, Sunday 28th August 2016m Lambert Park, 7pm
The curtain comes down on the regular season with a blockbuster clash under the lights at Lambert Park.
APIA Leichhardt will know the destination of the premiership after the earlier games and if it is secured, coach Matteo Maiorana may take a chance to rest some walking wounded.
For SD Raiders – victory is paramount as a warning shot before the finals series gets underway. They will be led by Dominique Caridad in the midfield alongside former Matilda Catherine Cannuli.
Both teams have traded wins in the over the previous rounds and Sunday night will be another hard fought contest that will be a fitting end to the regular season.
By Justin Davies, State League Women’s reporter
