SD Raiders crowned Women’s State League Champions

The season is over and SD Raiders have been crowned Champions after a superb second half display to overcome APIA Leichhardt Tigers 4-2 at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday.

In front of a raucous crowd both sides brought their a-game early in the contest as neither wanted to concede an inch.

Filiz Urkanci pulled the strings for APIA in the midfield early as she cushioned a pass to Dana Buttigieg, the striker could only force a corner which was cleared.

Catherine Cannuli got herself involved in the contest quickly as the former W-League star used her pace to create space but the shot trickled wide.

Urkanci tested Karrinda Moodley in goal for the Raiders when she exploded into the box but the Raiders shot stopper was up to task.

Due to the wet conditions, set pieces were vital for both teams and Cannuli provided a ball which pinged around the area then a cross that Caterina Moio could only chest wide.

Two chances came in short order for APIA Leichhardt as captain Lucy Gilfedder nodded a header over then Clare Munro couldn’t squeeze a shot between Moodley and the post.

For SD Raiders in the first half, all their best chances fell to Cannuli and her powerful shot forced Tigers keeper Courtney Halpin to push it out.

After the high pace of the first half hour, APIA started to settle into their passing game and created the opening goal. Smooth passing created the opening and Erin Clout cut inside to provide the finish for 1-0.

The last word for the first half was left to Moio, who rasped a dipping shot that almost fooled Halpin but the APIA keeper was quick enough to claw it away for a corner to end the half.

Buttigieg had a prime chance to make it two for APIA but despite the celebrations of the crowd it only hit the side net.

The chances were piling up for Cannuli as she was denied several times by Halpin who had a mammoth performance in goals.

Eventually the break did come from a Cannuli free-kick that was parried and slammed home by Nicole Monti make it 1-1 after 67 minutes.

Quick thinking from the winger got her the brace – from a throw in she bent her run enough to evade defenders and volley home to send the Raiders support into raptures.

SD Raiders joy was short lived though, as State League Women’s top scorer Christina Ferreyra was right on cue to loop a header into the net for 2-2 with fifteen minutes to play.

The final couldn’t go without a Cannuli goal and as both sides pressed for a winner, she fired a 30 metre rocket to once again give the Raiders the lead.

Their spirit broken, SD Raiders added a fourth late through Stephanie Conejeros-Berjerie to finish a superb rearguard action and the Championship.

Afterwards Catherine Cannuli praised her SD Raiders team to come back.

"The girls know what it like to come from behind, so we showed the spirit we have all season to secure the Championship tonight.

"[Nicole] Monti really stepped up tonight and dug down to score her two goals but I thought all the girls played well" finished Cannuli.

A downbeat APIA coach Matteo Maiorana was proud despite the loss. 

"It was disappointing [to lose] because I thought we played well and dominated the game. In the end though, we didn’t have enough in the tank and SD Raiders are a good side.

"We have turned it around from last season with the Premiership which is nice so I am proud of my girls tonight." Finished Maiorana. 

MATCH STATS

APIA Leichhardt 2 (Clout 37’, Ferreyra 73’)

SD Raiders 4 (Monti 66’, 68’, Cannuli 85’, Conejeros-Berjerie 92’)

APIA Leichhardt Tigers: HALPIN Courtney, GLANVILLE-FYFE Stephanie (CARMICHAEL ’89), BUTTIGIEG Dana, SCARLATO Samantha, GILFEDDER Lucy(SCHUMAN ’86), CLOUT Erin, CANINI Carla, FERREYRA Christina(KING ’83), URKANCI Filiz, SIM-SING Marie and MUNRO Clare(ALOKAYA ’71)

Subs not used: KAKOLIRIO Victoria

SD Raiders: MOODLEY Karrinda, BITTNER Sarah (CONEJEROS-BERJERIE ’45), HAMMOUD Sasha, D’MELLO Rhea, MOIO Caterina(MUSSETT ’76), HANKIN Brooke, CARIDAD Dominique, MONTI Nicole, CANNULI Catherine, KROPE Courtney and IGNJATOVIC Natalia

Subs not used: KLAPOS Georgia, RICHA Nestass and MUSCAT Rhianna

-By Justin Davies, Women’s State League reporter