Finals Series Round 1 Preview – State League Women’s
We move into the second season with the finals starting and two absorbing contests to headline week one of State League Women’s finals series.
Elimination Final: SD Raiders vs UNSW Lions, Saturday 3rd September 2016, Valentine Sports Park 3, 5pm
We kick off the finals series with a cracking elimination final between SD Raiders and UNSW Lions out at Valentine Sports Park.
It’s a contest that boasts three of the top four scorer’s in State League Women’s which makes for an enticing contest filled with goals and drama.
SD Raiders finished the regular season in third position and are battled hardened team. They are marshalled by Catherine Cannuli up front and Dominique Caridad in the midfield which led them to 40 points this season.
The host team have some strike power on the bench with Sarah Bittner and Georgia Klapos able to bring a change of tactics for UNSW Lions to deal with.
For most of the season UNSW Lions were riding high at the top of the ladder with their free flowing football contributing a league high 70 goals this season.
39 of which came from Rachelle Godman and Georgia Goulding. The former will be missing for this contest which leaves Goulding to shoulder the responsibility which she has done well in the last few weeks.
The usually resolute defense of the Lions was torn apart by the Saints but coach Renato Jelen hopes to get some troops back to combat Cannuli and Caterina Moio’s pace for the Raiders.
With the potential for their season to be ended both sides will be switched on and makes for a mouthwatering, open contest Saturday afternoon.
Tale of the Tape:
Round 2: SD Raiders 3 defeated UNSW Lions 2
Round 9: SD Raiders 4 drew with UNSW Lions 4
Round 16: UNSW Lions 4 defeated SD Raiders 1
Qualifying Final: APIA Leichhardt Tigers vs Western NSW Mariners FC, Sunday 4th September, Lambert Park, 330pm
A spot in the grand final is up for grabs Sunday afternoon at Lambert Park as Premiers APIA Leichhardt host the Western NSW Mariners.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers will still be on a high after their 1-1 draw against SD Raiders which secured the Premiership but coach Matteo Maiorana will have his side primed for a tough Mariners side.
One headache for Maiorana is the absence of State League Women’s top scorer Christina Ferreyra who picked up a fifth yellow to incur a suspension in the last round.
He has a handy replacement in Dana Buttigieg who picked up the first goal of the draw and is ready to repay the faith Maiorana had in her after a scoreless run.
Captain Lucy Gilfedder is the motor in the midfield for APIA and keeper Courtney Halpin has produced some good saves to make it a daunting task facing the Mariners.
Western NSW Mariners won’t be intimidated though coming into the finals series after a 6-2 walloping of Gladesville in Mudgee.
They welcomed back Samantha Wood just in time and the former W-league star bagged a hat-trick in a well executed game plan from coach Michael Godbier.
Their defense though has been the base of the Mariners success with 19 goals conceded and Teegan Courtney will be the key to halting a rampant APIA attack.
Both teams would love to earn themselves an extra breather and Sunday afternoon will be a cracking contest befitting the occasion.
Tale of the Tape
Round 4: WNSW Mariners 2 defeated APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1
Round 11: WNSW Mariners 2 defeated APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0
Round 18: APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 defeated WNSW Mariners 1
-By Justin Davies, State League Women’s reporter
