It was a good week for defenders, with four clean sheets and only three of 14 teams scoring more than one goal this week. It means nine of the outfield 15 Team of the Week squad members played in the back four! Finally the defenders are getting recognition for their donkey work, which often goes without deserved reward.
GK: Teresa Morissey (Senior NTC)
She just can’t stop making the Team of the Week! Once again, the NTC stopper put in a fantastic display of shot stopping. She made three or four crucial saves, but it was most importantly her calm demeanor in coming off her line and claiming crosses that helped shore up the NTC defence against one of the leagues best sides.
RB: Madelaine Richardson (Box Hill United)
Ironically, one of Box Hill’s brightest attacking outlets on a night that yielded seven goals was actually their right-back. Richardson provided a superb supporting display, delivering multiple assists from both set pieces and open play.
CB: Anouk Meereboer (Casey Comets)
At centre back alongside Binning, Meereboer did exceptionally well especially when Casey were chasing the contest, barely letting Caulfield in behind them on the counter despite playing a very high line. Made a number of crucial interceptions with her head and feet that allowed her team to keep advancing forward in search of that equaliser, which agonisingly never eventuated.
CB: Hollie McDonald (Caulfield United Cobras)
The youngster stood tall in the face of adversity, doing her utmost to keep a rampaging Casey at bay. Put in countless decisive clearances, tackles and interceptions as Caulfield defended their narrow lead with their lives. Unfortunately succumbed to injury late for her troubles.
CB: Carol Howes (South Melbourne)
Another game at centre-half, another stand-out performance from one of South Melbourne’s standout performers this season. She was a monster in the air, and showed a surprising turn of pace to keep the Heidelberg forwards accountable. The biggest strength was playing out from defence, as she sent a number of class deliveries into the forward half.
LB: Emily Morris-Krause (Sandringham Soccer Club)
Despite being involved in a controversial moment of the game, don’t let that take anything away from the youngster’s performance on the night, which included a monster shift against one of the league’s highest acclaimed wingers in Georgia Cloepfil. Did not let the American get the best of her and really grew into the contest as the game wore on, playing her part in the team keeping a clean sheet.
CM: Amy Jackson (Boroondara Eagles)
What more is there to say about the W-League stalwart and Eagles’ superstar? It was another brilliant game in the heart of Boroondara’s midfield from Jackson, yielding two goals and prompting coach Shaun Ontong to run out of superlatives when describing her performance.
CM: Emily Hulbert (Box Hill United)
The second Emily in the Team of the Week, Hulbert put on a commanding display through the centre of the pitch. She was threatening going forward – the only player to find the net twice in a game full of goalscorers – whilst also helping out going back, helping to hold possession and turn the ball over in the middle before the defence could be troubled.
CM: Jess Pitts (Bundoora United)
Playing against her former teammates, Pitts started a little shaky but worked her way into the game well. After giving the ball away cheaply a few times in the early stages, the dynamic midfielder found a way to impose herself in the midfield. She won possession with a number of good interceptions and kept the tempo up by recycling play well.
AM: Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United)
The standout performer of the first half against South Melbourne, Julia Nicolaci was a creative force in midfield for Heidelberg. She laid on a great ball for Christy Zwolski for the opener, and created a number of other clear-cut chances in the first half. She – like a lot of her teammates – had a quieter second half but her first half exploits earn her a spot in the starting XI.
ST: Taryne Boudreau (Boroondara Eagles)
As per usual, the goalsneak was a threat around the final third, menacing with her darting runs and dazzling with the ball at her feet. Made life incredibly difficult for the Bulleen backline that struggled to contain her. Whilst she didn’t score a goal herself, she contributed two key assists.
***
Bench:
Brittany Dudley-Smith (South Melbourne)
The South Melbourne forward floated across the front three at Lakeside Stadium and made a number of purposeful runs both on and off the ball. She proved incredibly hard to displace the ball off and played a number of good deliveries into Tiff Eliadis off the wings. Scored a great goal in the first half to equalise for the hosts.
Madeline Stockdale (Bulleen Lions)
It was a tough night out for the Bulleen young guns against the might of Boroondara. However, one player that shone in battle was Maddie Stockdale, who prevented many more Eagles goals with her courage and fortitude. A just reward for her consistency in recent times.
Christine Pfeiffer (Ashburton United)
A great effort alongside Emma Checker to restrict Sandringham to only a few chances, though she could do nothing about the goal. Always put her body on the line to help the cause, copping a knock for her troubles. One of the standouts in an overall frustrating night for Ashy.
Sienna Fogarty (Sandringham Soccer Club)
An absolute rock in the heart of Sandringham’s defence, the only thing stopping Fogarty from a starting berth is the abundance of centre-backs already in the team. Barely let the visitors a clear-cut sniff at goals.
Victoria Argyropoulos (Caulfield United Cobras)
A second consecutive appearance from the young fullback, who put in another tireless shift down the right flank. Made Casey players work hard to create chances and never let her opponents outmuscle her in a physical encounter.
Melanie Camilleri (Box Hill United)
A constant threat from start to finish, Camilleri was unlucky not to score two or three on the night. She linked up well with the midfield and provided a consistent and reliable target going forward.