By: Tonci PRUSAC

GEELONG Rangers have opened up a commanding 10 point gap at the top of the Geelong Region Women’s Division 1 after mercilessly destroying Surf Coast 8-1 at a windswept Banyul Warri Reserve last Saturday.

PHOTO: A file photo of Britt Elsen during her playing days with WNPL outfit Galaxy United. She bagged a hat-trick for Ranger against Surf Coast on the weekend.

Britt Elsen, who only recently linked up with the Rangers’ squad, snared a hat-trick to take her tally to nine goals in the last three games. The league’s leading goalscorer Lara Heric bagged a brace to take her season’s total to a whopping 21 goals, while Dani Mandic and Ally Van Dalen both scored singles for the Dark Blues.

The name of the lone Surf Coast goalscorer was not submitted by the club.

With second placed Barwon out of action with the bye this week, third placed Drysdale travelled to bottom side Kardinia College with the intention of capturing all three points which would see it jump into outright second spot.

The Students, who have only won once this year but have shown considerable improvement in recent matches, took it right up to their highly fancied opponents and did not concede an inch.

The match finished in a 2-2 stalemate with Stephanie Cameron and Holly Ryan scoring a goal apiece for the home side, while Nicole Carter and youngster Catie Hodge managed to get themselves on the scoring sheet for Drysdale.

The draw was not enough for Drysdale to leapfrog Barwon and hence remains in third spot.

To complete Round 11, Deakin Ducks easily accounted for an inconsistent Bell Park 4-0 at the Deakin University Sports Precinct.

With Deakin leading 1-0 at the break, the visitors had no answer for the Ducks who went on a second half rampage to score three more goals in the final 45 minutes.

Hannah Gordon netted a brace, with Caitlin Bishop and Meaghan Ryan contributing with singles apiece for the victorious Duckettes.

As a result of its emphatic win, Deakin leapfrogs Bell Park into fourth spot on the ladder. With Drysdale, Deakin and Bell Park all on 14 points, the battle for a coveted position in the top four has become as intriguing as ever.