News

On Monday 25 September, a highly enthusiastic and eager team of girls played in the Year 7 and 8 Soccer Statewide Schools Competition Finals, at the amazing facilities of Services FM stadium Gepps Cross.

For the semi finals, the team was up against Kildare College. Starting off strongly, the dynamic duo of Ashlyn Cornolo and Emmy Jeffery used their skills to set up and score the first goal within the first 3 minutes of the game. Emmy worked her magic again and had a shot keeping the opposition on their toes. Alita Huyser scored off a defection. Therese Pajanga was amazing in goals pulling off great saves. Both Marie Onema and Kara Murray played an excellent defensive game, holding the line. Special commendations go to Lucy Crowe and Bell Coghlan, both of whom were able to anticipate the play to win back the ball and applying great pressure. Emmy and Ash strategically played a short corner, and Ash scored from outside the 18 yard box. Great pressure was applied in the second half by Ash and Alita, with a through ball to Emmy for a goal. With two minutes to go the opposition score a goal bringing the final score to 4-3. The girls were on a high after winning the game but were reserved in their anticipation of the final.

In game two, our girls were up against the very impressive Henley High School team. Henley scored within the first few minutes. The first half was dominated by defensive play on Tenison’s part and by half time it was 4-0, Henley’s way. The combination of heat and challenges of facing a highly developed opposition meant that the girls had ‘very little left in the tank’. In the second half, Ash scored our one and only goal. It was enough to energise the girls to persevere. The heat demanded a drinks break and a shortening of the final half. With emotions running high, the team captain, Ash, gave a rousing speech to the girls, well supported by Emmy. The girls entered the pitch for the final minutes after a drinks break they gave it their all. Kalani Dunn and Tahnee Grosser pushed through for the team, providing good support during the hottest part of the day. Bailee Lewis used her position to provide pressure on the other team, never faltering from the chase. Chelsea Rogers and Kasthar Bae held their defensive positions well. Shen Tee Shin Shin gained her second wind applying pressure on Henley players.

The girls are to be congratulated for coming Runners up in the State! It was an outstanding effort from a team that was made up of almost 50:50, players to non-players, a fact that even they were boasting about on the day. Well done girls!