Words: Matt Tilby
Additional Reporting: Justin Robertson
Images: Brittany DiSavia

UQFC Women have continued their charge towards the top four with a resounding 5-1 win over Western Pride FC Women on Sunday evening.

In their first home game of the season at Lions Stadium, the home side controlled proceedings early on, taking the lead through Georgia Chapman’s well placed shot fifteen minutes in.

UQFC doubled their lead just minutes later, when Mariel Hecher responded quickest to a scramble in the box, following Pippa Schiavo’s well placed lofted free kick.

If Western Pride were under the pump in the first half, it would only get harder in the second as Lorena Maggio’s two goals – a superb strike from 22 yards and a composed finish rounding the keeper – would help seal the result.

Hecher would grab her second and UQFC’s fifth with a one-time effort, before a surprising defensive error saw Emma Barnes score the Pride’s lone consolation goal late on.

UQFC’s third win of the season sees them just three points outside the top four with a big encounter against Easts to take place next week.

Western Pride, meanwhile, will welcome The Gap next weekend as they continue to look for their first victory, only off the foot of the table via goal difference.

Key Moments

5’ – CHANCE FOR UQFC – A poor pass by Pride keeper Kirsten Veeren is intercepted by Mariel Hecher, but the effort is not converted.

15’ - GOAL FOR UQFC - A fantastic strike from Georgia Chapman to the right-hand side of the hapless Pride keeper to open up the scoring.

17’ - GOAL for UQFC – A lofted free kick from Pippa Schiavo to Mariel Hecher, who makes it two for UQFC with a scrambled goal in the box.

31’ – CHANCE FOR UQFC - Georgia Chapman tests the Pride keeper from distance, great save by the keeper Kirsten Veeren.

43’ – CHANCE FOR UQFC - A long range effort from Carmel Murphy pollard from 22 yards slices wide of goal, not testing Veeren.

58’ – GOAL FOR UQFC - An amazing strike from Lorena Maggio from 22 yards to beat the Pride keeper.

72’ - GOAL FOR UQFC - A well timed run from Lorena Maggio to steal the ball behind the Pride defence, as she takes it around the goal keeper and slots home in cool fashion.

75’ - GOAL FOR UQFC - After a scramble in the box and a few missed efforts, Mariel Hecher picks up a loose ball and slots home a first time shot.

79’ – CHANCE FOR UQFC – An amazing save by Pride keeper Kirsten Veeren, with a looping shot from outside the box palmed onto the post to keep the ball out.

84’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE - A defensive mistake and Emma Barnes capitalises, her deflected shot loops over Dani Harbot to make it 5-1.

90’ – CHANCE FOR UQFC - A great move from Mariel Hecher to link up with Lorena Maggio, but the final shot flies over the bar.

Match Details

Playstation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Season 2017 – Round 5
Sunday, April 30
Lions Stadium, Richlands

UQFC Women – 5 (Chapman 15’, Hecher 18’ 76’, Maggio 59’ 73’)
Western Pride FC Women – 1 (Barnes 85’)

Referee – Cameron FAWCETT
Assistant – Dale POWER
Assistant – Alex HOHN