Image: Frank Khamees
Galaxy United have secured the services of six key players for the 2017 NPLW season.
Melissa and Adriana Taranto, Whitney Knight, Kariah White, Caitlin Pickett and Emily Kenshole have all made early commitments to re-join Vincenzo Ierardo’s squad for next year as the club looks to go one better than its grand final finish in 2016.
The Taranto twins linked up in midfield again after graduating from the NTC program and making their W-League debuts with Melbourne Victory in 2015-16.
Both combined for six goals in the inaugural NPLW campaign – Melissa scoring four times and Adriana twice.
“The club has a very good feel to it at the moment and the culture is fantastic. There are some good people both on and off the field helping us with our game and we are thankful for that. Hopefully we can also help the club grow even further,” Adriana Taranto said.
Fellow Victory player and NTC graduate Knight netted twice in her maiden W-League campaign before also joining Galaxy for 2016. The tricky winger will be on the mend from long-term injury following an interrupted campaign.
Local product and former Surfside Waves and North Geelong Warriors player Pickett found the net four times in a breakout season in the NPLW, including in the grand final defeat.
She was selected for the Australian schoolgirls team to feature in the United Kingdom in early 2017.
“I’m very excited for the next season. Last season was such a great experience for me and I’m looking forward to continuing the Galaxy journey. Galaxy has such an amazing environment, the support and culture is 100% and professional. I’m looking forward to playing with such a talented group and I’d like to thank Vince, all the coaching staff and the club for their continued support and all their hard work,” Pickett said.
Despite boasting the reputable Kelsey Quinn and Katie Neville within their goalkeeping stocks, Kenshole also broke through to feature between the sticks for Galaxy.
In the process, the Bell Park junior earned selection for Victoria’s squad to face Tasmania in the Bass Strait Cup.
Meanwhile, former Bundoora United forward White ended up as the club’s top scorer on seven goals alongside Laura Spiranovic.
She returned to the sport in 2016 after a sabbatical and hit the ground running, providing an attacking spark on the wing for Ierardo’s squad.
She said: “From our president, parents and players, it just feels like our second home. During my first year back in the game, it was mentally challenging and it was the young atmosphere and passion that helped me get back into the swing of things. I couldn’t be prouder of our season even if we didn’t come home with the trophy. We have unfinished business and as a team we won’t give up.”
The group of re-signings join coach Vincenzo Ierardo and trio Laura Spiranovic, Jess Tay and Annabel Martin – therefore nine players in total – to commit to next season, with the club consolidating a key core of players for the upcoming campaign, for which many players will come back with another season of W-League experience.