Champions RedStar wrap up title in style
Reoport by Tommy Doleman
Perth RedStar celebrate their league title triumph with the Hyundai Women's State Cup trophy they won the previous week. Photo by FotoEnzo
Perth RedStar confirmed their status as NPLWA – Women’s champions on Sunday as they cruised past Fremantle City 4-0 at RedStar Arena.
Having been made to wait following a goalless draw against Perth SC last Wednesday, Carlos Vega Mena’s unbeaten side made no mistake with yet another emphatic performance in season 2022.
RedStar have won 15 and drawn one of their 16 matches so far, and have now lifted the league title, State Cup and Night Series. They need just the Top Four Cup to complete a clean sweep.
Fremantle had an early chance at RedStar Arena as Laura Waltman tried to beat Maya Diederichsen from range with a free-kick. However, the goalkeeper – in the team for Shivani Battaglia who has moved to the US – was up to the task.
At the other end, Indianna Casilli was deputising in goal for Dayle Schroeder, and she was forced to save from Grace Monteiro and Kim Carroll.
But RedStar did not have to wait too long and the took control with two goals before the interval to set them on their way to the title.
Larissa Walsh started and ended a lovely RedStar team move as she scored a 17th this season from Carla Bennett’s pass. Renee Leota, another of experienced brigade at the club, then rifled low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.
It was left to one of the club’s rising stars to round out the win in the second half. Substitute Olivia Wood dispatched beyond Casilli after another excellent Bennett assist and she rounded the goalkeeper to score with 10 minutes remaining.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Subiaco defeated Balcatta Etna 3-1 for the second time in a week to keep their faint finals hopes alive.
Greg Farrell’s team are nine points off fourth but do have a game in hand on the three finals aspirants above them. They got off to a flying start at Rosalie Park thanks to Melissa Shepherd’s 11th minute screamer from distance.
Lauren Continibali had the ball in the back of the net for Balcatta, but the forward handled in the build-up. However she would equalise soon after with another cracker from long range.
Both teams had opportunities to go in front, but a couple of goals either side of half-time ensured Subi recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in the NPL era.
Lisa De Vanna’s cross was only partially clear by Balcatta and Ingrid Gomez Basallo was there to finish from Frankie Murray’s pull-back.
And it was 150-times capped Matilda De Vanna who got her first goal for Subiaco to wrap it up, when she raced away on 54 minutes to make it 3-1.
On Saturday, Perth SC strengthened their top four position after recording a crushing 10-2 win over Curtin University.
Caitlin Doeglas was making her first start of the season after a long stretch out with injury, and she found the net from close range on five minutes to get her team going.
Ella Lincoln scored a quickfire double, driving in low across the goalkeeper before slaloming past a couple of challenges and picking out the corner for 3-0.
Abbey Meakins fed Doeglas to roll in a fourth and it was five at the interval, as Lincoln turned and fired in via the goalkeeper to complete a first-half hat-trick.
The goals kept coming after the restart with Meakins crossing to Liana Cook for six and then scoring a lovely chip to make it 7-0 after 53 minutes.
Two goals in the space of four minutes gave Curtin brief respite during the second period. Dakota Van-Vugt got both with the first from Taylor Reid’s cross and her second from a mistake at the back to bring up her fifth of the season.
Perth would put their foot down again in the final 17 minutes. Jaime Duncanson got a simple eighth from close range and then squaring for Cook to make it nine soon after.
It was 10 near the end with Duncanson hitting double-figures for the league this term, as the Azzurri became the second team after Balcatta in 2020 to reach double figures in the NPLWA – Women’s era.
On Friday, Murdoch University Melville won 2-0 over Hyundai NTC in wet and windy conditions to ultimately end the weekend in the final Top Four Cup spot.
MUM FC may have lost their league title this weekend but have now won four of their past five matches to boost their finals prospects, despite having a tricky run in ahead with the league’s top three to come.
Nikita Strickling forced Lily Bailey into a near post save during a good first half performance from the hosts and they got their reward seven minutes before the break.
Strickling and Meghan Hulsman were involved as Clara Hoarau broke from midfield to score for a second consecutive game.
Strickling doubled the lead with a rasping drive after the break as MUM FC controlled matters at the Besteam Stadium and put themselves back in the finals mix.
NTC’s best chance came in the second half when Louise Tana forced Monique Todd into a low save, but it was a disappointing night for the youngsters overall who drop out of the top four by a point.
Round 17 results: MUM FC 2-0 Hyundai NTC, Perth RedStar 4-0 Fremantle City, Perth SC 10-2 Curtin University, Subiaco 3-1 Balcatta Etna.
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