Defenders were the flavour of the week for Round 15 in the NPLW Victoria, despite the fact just one clean sheet was kept all round. Nine defenders made the squad this week, with a number more left out due to the wealth of numbers. In full, here is the Round 15 NPLW Victoria Team of the Week.
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GK: Teresa Morrissey (Senior NTC)
Although she was subbed off after playing just two-thirds of the contest, Teresa Morrissey had yet another brilliant game for the Senior NTC. It was not so much her shot stopping – although she made a key save to deny Brittany Dudley-Smith with the striker odds on to score – but it was a culmination of her confident aerial ability and maturity to help marshal her defence.
RB: Dani Gudelj (Bulleen Lions)
The Bulleen winger was deployed as a right fullback against Bayside and displayed her versatility with a solid defensive performance to keep her opponent relatively toothless, while she got forward plenty to contribute with two assists.
CB: Jess Tay (Galaxy United)
Played the majority of her game at centre-half, but moved into midfield in the second half; in both positions, she did a similar role for her side. She controlled the game from the back, distributing well into midfield and then when Galaxy pushed for an equaliser, pushed forward to assist in breaking down a stringent Bergers defence.
CB: Sienna Fogarty (Alamein FC)
The Alamein FC defence had a number of different attacking threats to worry about, whether they be in the form of the nimble, skilful players with the ball at deck, or those with aerial expertise. Sienna Fogarty was on hand to deal with the lot, integral in Alamein preventing a goal from open play, and helping see off a number of set-pieces placed into dangerous areas.
LB: Tyla-Jay Vlajnic (Calder United)
Best on ground in the game against Alamein FC, where she spent plenty of time exploiting the left flank she operated down. Her set pieces held to the high standards that she prides herself on and even managed to plant one in off the upright for her side’s only goal. Had a brilliant attacking game.
CM: Sarah Cain (Senior NTC)
Having scored her first and only goal of the season in Round One, Cain trebled her 2016 tally with a double from midfield. She was heavily involved in the string of passing that lead to her opening the scoring with a well struck volley, before finishing first time from a Nikolina Bucalo – another good performer – through ball.
CM: Kristina Hall (Box Hill United)
Two assists marked a strong return for Hall who has proven over the course of this season to be Box Hill’s most consistent performer. The American slipped a great ball in on the turn for Elaina Vatcky’s opener, before sliding around a defender, bursting down the wing and delivering on a play for Emily Hulbert to nod home the second.
AM: Michelle Verzi (Heidelberg United)
Utilised in a more creative role in attacking midfield by coach Bill Mihaloudis, captain Michelle Verzi worked hard in the engine room to provide an outlet for goals. Was involved heavily, with Heidelberg taking a lead in the contest in Torquay against Galaxy, with Verzi also working hard to cut off attacks before they started.
RW: Lia Privitelli (Bulleen Lions)
Scored the pick of the goals for Bulleen in a big win over Bayside United, outpacing her opponents with a lung-busting run from half-way to finish a one-on-one chance. Privitelli also hitting the crossbar, while also spurning a few more chances in a dangerous display across the right wing.
ST: Larissa Crummer (Alamein FC)
Scored Alamein’s opener and was a constant attacking threat, as is expected from the current Matildas forward. Starting to fully find her fitness, with the Calder defence committing numbers to stop her output, allowing Melina Ayres and Hannah Keane to make an impact in forward positions.
LW: Elaina Vatcky (Box Hill United)
Heavily involved in the 2-0 win over Southern United, Vatcky had a standout game until she came off injured mid-way through the second half. Scored the first goal for her side and looked very likely for another, but it didn’t eventuate. It was a fantastic goal too, as she latched onto a through ball before placing low into the right corner.
Bench:
Lauren Farrugia (Bulleen Lions)
The Bulleen Lions stopper continues to put in some impressive performances between the sticks after a strong outing against Bayside United; sometimes we forget it’s not her natural position. Farrugia made a number of saves from clear cut positions, while there was little she could do about the goal. Bethany Mason-Jones can consider herself unlucky not to make this bench spot after a similarly solid display.
Liana Iaconis (Bulleen Lions)
On her return from a lengthy layoff due to concussion against Galaxy United in Round 12, Iaconis was a calming figure in the Bulleen Lions defence, holding together the players around her with not only her commanding display, but also her vocal presence and organisation. A steadying figure in defence.
While the start to her 2016 campaign was hampered with an injury, Box Hill United skipper Georgia Koutrouvelis has returned over the last month to string some good form together, and was rewarded with a clean sheet on the weekend against Southern United. Utilised as a right-back, her energy and commitment throughout the entire contest helped wear thin the Southern attacking line-up.
Papadopoulos continues to string an impressive season together in a fullback role, and did as she’s done most weeks. Worked hard against a tough opposition in Melina Ayres, while she also forayed forward to impact the game and create chances.
Tasked with marking the physically superior Brittany Dudley-Smith, young Molly Burke was fearless in shutting down the attacker in an unfamiliar defensive role, replacing Coby McInerney in the centre-back role. Strong in the tackle and allowed the attackers around her to flourish.
Elly Torre (Heidelberg United)
Yet another defender that makes the cut this week after a standout performance, Torre was singled out for praise by those attending this fixture, after another good job at right-back, coming just six minutes and stoppage time away from a clean sheet.
Melissa Taranto (Galaxy United)
It was yet another good day at the office from the Galaxy United midfielder, who worked hard as the most reserved of the Galaxy midfielders. She broke up the play well and hardly missed a pass, capping her performance off with the equalising goal.
Emily Harbis (Bayside United)
Bayside’s brightest attacking outlet in a game where they lacked defensive composure, Harbis got on the scoresheet and put herself into decent positions to capitalise against the Bulleen defence. Had she backed her pace and advanced forward from those 20-25 yard areas, she could have ended with a goal or two more.