Celebration time for Murdoch
Football West News
Murdoch University Melville have been the dominant NPLWA Women's side this year. Photo by FotoEnzo
Murdoch University Melville will receive the NPLWA Women’s championship trophy tonight when they complete their 2020 league season against Fremantle City at Wauhop Park (kick-off 7.30pm).
Pater Rakic’s side officially became the competition’s inaugural winners last Sunday after Perth SC failed to beat Northern Redbacks. Murdoch had defeated Hyundai NTC earlier in the day.
The MUM FC coach said while their win at Celebration Park all but killed off the Azzurri’s challenge, he told his players to keep the celebrations on hold until everything was mathematically guaranteed.
“It’s been a hell of a ride but we wanted to keep things humble and said there was to be no celebrating until the final game when everything was official,” Rakic said. “Now we can look forward to lifting the trophy and having a good night before turning our attention to the Top Four Cup.”
Murdoch have been top since Round Three and there is no question they are deserving champions – 10 wins and just two losses in 13 games, joint top scorers with 40 goals and the best defence with only 11 conceded. Striker Katarina Jukic has led the way with 15 goals – seven more than her nearest rivals.
Rakic pointed to his side’s goal return, saying: “I think that’s what separated us from second and third place. We haven’t just won games, we have won them convincingly.”
MUM FC won’t learn their Top Four Cup semi-final opponents until the final league round is completed but Rakic is already looking forward to the challenge.
“We’ll be up against Fremantle, NTC or Redbacks, but whoever it is will give us a run for our money. Everyone lifts their intensity in these kind of matches,” he said.
If Fremantle win tonight they will go second on goal difference ahead of Perth SC’s game at Hyundai NTC on Sunday. NTC are currently fourth, on the same points but three goals better off than Redbacks, who are away at Curtin University on Saturday.
Subiaco get their final chance to win a league game this season when they visit Balcatta, with neither side able to make the Top Four Cup.
All of the weekend games will be live streamed on Football West’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
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