5 Things from NPLW WA Round 17

Round 17 saw Perth RedStar claim the title, Subiaco continue to create history and Perth SC hit double figures.

The game between MUM FC and Hyundai NTC on Friday evening opened the round. MUM ran out 2-0 winners in bitterly cold and wet conditions, making the race for the top 4 positions a real nail-biter.

On Saturday Perth SC bounced back from the disappointment of losing the State Cup Final to hit 10 of the best against a hapless Curtin, winning 10-2, whilst on Sunday the league title was officially decided when Perth RedStar beat Fremantle 4-0 to claim their first ever championship in their first season. The round finished with Subiaco continuing to upset teams higher than them in the table with a 3-1 win against Balcatta.

Perth RedStar crowned champions

After claiming the first ever silverware for the new club by clinching the State Cup a week ago, Perth RedStar added the league title to their new trophy cabinet by beating second-placed Fremantle City 4-0 at their home ground, RedStar arena. They could have claimed the title on Wednesday night if they had beaten Perth SC in a State Cup final rematch, but the Azzurri became the first team to take points off RedStar all season when they held them to a 0-0 draw. That draw meant RedStar had to take points from Fremantle to be crowned champions.

They did so in emphatic fashion with goals from Larissa Walsh, Renee Leota and an Olivia Wood brace. Even without Sarah Carroll (injured) and goalkeeper Shivani Battaglia, who has gone to play college football in the USA, RedStar were too strong for a Fremantle side missing Katarina Jukic, Jamie-Lee Gale, Mikayla Lyons and goalkeeper Dayle Schroeder.

RedStar is still unbeaten, has now won the pre-season night series as well as the league and cup double, and will be looking to complete a rare clean sweep by winning the Top 4 Cup.

Ten of the best from Perth SC

Going into round 17, Perth SC were struggling for form having only won one of their last five league games, drawing one and losing three. They had also lost the State Cup Final and had only scored two goals in those six games.

On Saturday they faced a Curtin University side who lost 5-1 against MUM FC in a midweek catch-up game and was desperately short of confidence. This looked like a game that Perth SC could potentially use to boost their scoring record, whilst at the same time putting some pressure on Fremantle City in second place. 

It’s doubtful though that even in coach Peter Rakic’s wildest dreams he would have imagined a 10-2 win with four players sharing the goals, including a very welcome brace from ex-Perth Glory striker Caitlin Doeglas on her return from an ACL injury. There was also a hattrick from Ella Lincoln, whilst Jamie Duncanson and Liana Cook scored a brace each. Curtin’s goals came from Dakota Van-Vugt.

The 4-0 loss by Fremantle against Perth RedStar the following day meant there was a 12-goal swing in goal difference between the two teams, which could prove vital in the chase for second spot.

The two teams meet each other on Friday in what is undoubtedly the game of the round, and the result of that game could have a significant bearing on who gets second spot and a much coveted second chance in the Top 4 Cup.

MUM FC continue their rise up the table

The bitterly cold conditions on Friday night that greeted MUM FC and Hyundai NTC were character-building, to say the least. The vast majority of players on both sides were under the age of 18, and it’s probably fair to say that not many of them would have encountered such testing conditions.

Being able to rise above adverse weather and play winning football is an admirable quality. MUM FC showed they have strong mental resolve, facing the challenge provided by the weather to record their fourth victory in five games. A 2-0 win with goals from Clara Hoarau and Nikita Strickling has lifted MUM FC firmly back into the top 4 race. 

Their next match is away to Curtin University, but they then face the daunting challenge of playing Fremantle City, Perth RedStar and Perth SC in their final three games as they attempt to maintain their record of qualifying for the Top 4 Cup in every season of the NPLW.

Balcatta Etna need to dig deep

After two losses in a row against Subiaco, Balcatta Etna has suddenly found themselves out of the top 4 and sitting in sixth spot on the table. 

They are just two points behind MUM FC in fourth place and have a game in hand, but they will know that every game is now vital if they are to try and earn a top 4 spot for the first time in the NPLW era.

The game on Sunday will be a massive test for them when they travel to the E&D Litis Stadium to take on Hyundai NTC, who are one point ahead of them in fifth spot. Anything less than the three points would mean they face an uphill task to overhaul MUM FC, especially given that MUM FC play Curtin on Friday evening. 

Subiaco’s improvement continues

Their win against Balcatta on the 24th of July meant that Subiaco had beaten their previous highest points total in the NPLW era. More club history came Subiaco’s way on Sunday as they recorded back-to-back NPLW wins for the first time with a 3-1 victory, also against Balcatta Etna. Goals from Melissa Shepherd, Ingrid Gomez Basallo and Lisa De Vanna sealed the win, with Lauren Continibali scoring for the visitors.

Subiaco now have a maximum target of 30 points to chase, and while this may well prove to be beyond them, they have De Vanna showing she can still score goals, while Marianna Tabain and Ella Mastrantonio are capable of unpicking any defence. There is every likelihood that they will pick up points against teams who may once have looked at a fixture against Subiaco as a certain three point banker.

Click here for Round 17 goal highlights

Round 17 Results

MUM FC 2 – 0 Hyundai NTC Women 
Perth SC 10 – 2 Curtin University FC
Perth RedStar 4 – 0 Fremantle City FC
Subiaco AFC 3 – 1 Balcatta Etna

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