Finals Series Round 2 Preview – State League Women’s
There is one spot left vacant in the State League Women’s grand final and SD Raiders and Western NSW Mariners will duke it out for the spot at Valentine Sports Park this weekend.
Western NSW Mariners vs SD Raiders, Sunday 11th September 2016, Valentine Sports Park, 5pm
It comes to 90 minutes, possibly more for these two sides as they look to take the second spot against APIA Leichhardt Tigers in the Grand Final.
Both teams come into the weekend in contrasting form despite both finals having the same scoreline. SD Raiders triumphed over UNSW Lions while a late Dana Buttigieg consigned Western NSW Mariners to this game.
The Raiders have built momentum in the last month or so with five straight undefeated games highlighted by their 2-nil victory over APIA.
Caterina Moio bagged a brace in their minor semi final victory and coach Catherine Cannuli added that the winger is a "very good player who when she wants to turn it on" can produce goals like last weekend.
Add to this the midfield three of Cannuli, Nicole Monti and Dominique Caridad who were robust in winning balls against the quick UNSW Lions side.
They will need to do the same if they want to break up the rhythm of a slick Mariners side that gave APIA problems last weekend.
Karrinda Moodley between the sticks will need to marshal her defense well to progress.
For the Mariners, coach Michael Godbier will need to quickly get his side over their loss at Lambert Park to go again against SD Raiders.
One thing in the second placed side’s favour is their defensive record. They finished the season with only 19 goals conceded and against SD Raiders in round 20, played out a 0-0 draw.
While they build their game from the back – the Mariners also possess some quality attacking weapons to worry any defense.
Samantha Wood once again displayed her quality with her 30 yard strike to equalise against APIA and joined by the tireless Jess Salomoni to make for a mouthwatering battle between strikers.
These two sides drew in all three clashes in the regular season so they might need more than 90 minutes to separate the two which means both Moodley and Jess Daymond in goals may ultimately decide the winner this weekend.
By Justin Davies, State League Women’s reporter
