WPL Victoria Team of the Week: Round 13

by Mark Gojszyk 0

One less game this week – Box Hill vs NTC – but still plenty of skill on offer, with a smaller concentration of teams featured this Round due to some blowouts around the grounds. There were some mammoth performances on offer from a few players that barely put a foot wrong. Here’s your Round 13 Team of the Week:

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GK: Frances Land (South Melbourne)
The experienced custodian was called upon a number of times to pull important saves out of Avila, Cordner and Croft throughout the contest, whilst also sweeping up a number of through balls. She denied the Comets more than the one goal they scored on the day, despite the visitors playing better than the eventual scoreline suggested.

RB: Demi Mihaloudis (Heidelberg United)
The Heidelberg fullback has been in and out of the lineup in 2015, but was granted a starting berth and took her chance with both hands. Mihaloudis put in a fine shift at right-back, marauding up the pitch to help maintain the forward pressure that Heidelberg were applying and interlinking with the front third. Played two notable passes from the deep to find teammates; one a great free-kick to find Christy Zwolski and a great cross to pick out Julia Nicolaci

CB: Rachel Binning (Casey Comets)
Both a commendable defensive performance which minimised the chances South had on goal – who were just the more clinical with the opportunities presented to them – whilst marauding up the other end to apply the headed finish to a cross to score for the Comets. An all-round performance that caught the eyes of the opposition coaches.

CB: Lisa Fonua (Heidelberg United)

Was the best on ground in Heidelberg’s 3-1 win over Sandringham SC, putting in a complete performance in the heart of defence. She both came out to meet the ball as a stopper, and dropped back when necessary as the sweeper, winning the ball a countless amount of times to stifle the attacking threat of Runnalls, Westwood and co.

LB: Lisa Farquhar (South Melbourne)
Despite it being her first league appearance, it was as though new signing Farquhar had been at South all season, such was her understanding with teammates on the pitch and ability to get involved in passages of build-up play from the back after winning possession.

DM: Emma Checker (Ashburton United)
Pushed higher up the pitch by coach Sinisa Cohadzic, Checker’s athleticism, speed and technical ability were all on show against South Yarra, who couldn’t contain the young prodigy. Was constantly involved in the build-up and play and popped up with an assist as well.

RM: Rani Cavaretta (Boroondara Eagles)
The Tasmanian was a constant threat throughout the match, slicing open Caulfield’s defence with a number of sublime assists to Amy Jackson, whilst scoring herself in a one-on-one situation. Really stepped up in the front third in the absence of the likes of Boudreau and Jacobs.

CM: Amy Jackson (Boroondara Eagles)
Just when you though Ayres’ haul of four goals would be the pick of the round, out comes Jackson with five, made all the more impressive considering she isn’t a striker. The central  midfielder has been an absolute goalscoring machine for the Eagles this season. (FYI Jackson backed it up with a hat-trick against Sandringham in the mid-week Cup game).

CM: Caity Friend (Bulleen Lions)
Helped set up goals and score them in the 7-1 rout over Bundoora. Was scintillating in the middle of the park, completing a hat-trick on the night whilst also getting involved in attacking play by getting forward.

LM: Beattie Goad (Bulleen Lions)
We’ve had to fit on her on the left here, but Beattie was a menace on both wings, particularly when cutting in from the right and shooting with her left in an inverted winger’s role. Scored two quality goals but was also damaging with her vision and passing into the box.

CAM: Cindy Lay (Bulleen Lions)
Didn’t score in the end, but pulled all the strings in Bulleen’s forward half, constantly teeing up her teammates for efforts on goal. Was the chief architect in the victory with a number of  classy assists.

ST: Melina Ayers (Ashburton United)
It was four well taken goals for the sprightly young forward, who made life a nightmare for the South Yarra defence. Could have had more if not for the woodwork. The haul continues Ayers’ excellent WPL season to date.

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BENCH:

Emily Dolzan (Bulleen Lions)
A defensive rock for Bulleen, Dolzan barely allowed her opponents a sniff on goal in a confident performance at the back. Complemented her defensive game with calmness on the ball and neat distribution from the back.

Jasmine Arezolla (South Melbourne)
A nice shift for the 15-year-old who has been given a go by coach Socrates Nicolaidis in the first team of late. Contributed early with the important first assist and looked promising going forward from midfield thereafter, before being rested later on in the second half.

Ellie Gavalas (Heidelberg United)
The Tasmanian put in a spirited shift in midfield for Heidelberg, which saw her bring energy and a good goal threat, which culminated in a great strike against Sandy. Complemented her teammates well.

Alex Gummer (Boroondara Eagles)
Ever reliable in any position, Gummer again showed her worth in the Eagles outfit with a solid performance for Boroondara on Sunday evening, helping cut off any Caulfield moves forward whilst launching attacks the other way. Capped off her night with a penalty.

Azize Erenli (Ashburton United)
In a busy shift for Ashburton, Erenli was constantly working hard to break down South Yarra’s defence with a number of threatening runs and deliveries into the area to her teammates. Assisted the first of Ayers’ goals with a lovely ball.