Words: Sam Flanagan
Image: Patrick Kearney

Olympic FC Women’s Lorena Maggio hopes her time with Adelaide United in the Westfield W-League will put her in good stead for her club’s maiden PlayStation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Finals campaign.

Olympic take on second-placed Souths United Women at Wakerley Park on Sunday, with the winner progressing to the PlayStation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland 2016 Grand Final.

With over 20 games for the Lady Reds in the national top tier, Maggio believes her time amongst the nation’s elite developed her enormously and is relishing passing on what she has learnt to her Olympic teammates.

“Having been a part of the W-League for the past few years has made me grow as a player and a person,” Maggio said.

“I've played alongside and against some of the best players in the country and it's a massive advantage in the NPL; as not only am I providing experience to the league but also to my team mates.”

The 25-year-old, who was with Western Pride Women in the 2015 season, has been a key cog in the Olympic wheel that has rolled into the Finals and she’s intent on featuring prominently come Sunday.

“As a team we've worked so hard to secure the clubs first finals birth and it's all or nothing this weekend so I'll be giving it everything I've got.”

“My experience will be a key factor in controlling the pressure of finals; I will be out to make as big of an impact as I can but we also have so many weapons all over the field that can change a game.”

Maggio isn’t the only Olympic player with Westfield W-League expereience, with winger Allira Toby having also played for Adelaide United in the 2015/16 season.

The former New York Magic player said her decision to join Olympic in the off season was made easier by the fact there would be a familiar face in the squad and is looking forward to igniting the finals with Toby.

“I was excited once Olympic had contacted me as I've heard so many positives about the club and their women's program.”

“I knew Allira was also heading back to play for Olympic in the off season so it made my decision a lot easier linking up again with a former teammate to see what havoc we could cause this season.”

“We’ve spent the last 12 months on the pitch together and this season with Olympic has allowed us to improve our combination.”

“We can read each other’s play and link up well together in the final third so, hopefully, that will be one our game breakers this weekend,” she concluded.

Olympic have lost twice against Souths in their previous meetings this season.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Queensland Semi Final 2

Souths United FC Women v Olympic FC Women
Sunday, August 28 | 3:30PM
Wakerley Park, Brisbane