The stage is set for a huge weekend of football around Victoria, as all around the state community Clubs fight for championship glory.
The Victorian Premier League Women’s (VPLW) will determine their champion on Sunday afternoon with top-placed Preston Lions taking on Boroondara-Carey Eagles.
Preston Lions
Preston was a dominant force in the VPLW all season, winning 16 out of their 18 games. The Lions finished with an incredible 69-goal difference, only conceding 7 goals against all season.
Rachel Stirton was an irrepressible force up, leading the line up forward and ultimately winning the Golden Boot with 28 goals. Complimenting the Stirton show, Keiwa Hieda (15 goals) and Miri Nishimura (13 goals) have been impressive all season, providing many eye-catching goals.
In the semi-final, Preston ruthlessly defeated Melbourne University SC (MUSC) 5-0 in front of a strong home crowd to advance to this week's final.
The unrelenting pressure from the Lions resulted in an own goal scored by MUSC's Gonya Luate in the 9th minute. Goal-machine Rachel Stirton extended Preston’s lead in the 34th minute with an improvised sliding effort.
Preston made it three goals before half-time as Olivia Edwards (34th minute) capitalised on a fumble by goalkeeper Rebecca Ye after a powerful shot from Natasha Inia from outside the box.
Preston’s high press continue to cause problems and the Lions pounced once again through Olivia Edwards (40th minute), the defender turned attacker scoring her second for the night.
Rachel Stirton found herself once again on the score sheet in the 79th minute as she calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner after an intelligent through pass from Keiwa Hieda.
The win capped off an outstanding season for Preston to date and no doubt the Lions faithful will feel confident taking that momentum into this weekend's final.
Boroondara-Carey Eagles:
Similarly, the Eagles were a class above most of the competition throughout 2022, only losing two games for the season.
Boroondara-Carey’s biggest win this season came in round 18 against Whitehorse United when they came away with an 8-0 victory. Ellen Turner scored a hat trick, Emma Hubbard and Hayley Geurts scored a brace and Kristina Hall also managed to get onto the scoresheet.
The eight-goal win was certainly no fluke. The Eagles also triumphed by a whopping seven goals on two occasions this season, against Eltham Redbacks in round three (9-2) and round 14 against the Casey Comets (7-0).
Ellen Turner and Margot Robinne have been the most prolific scorers for the Eagles this season with 11 each, while Marguerite Eudes (10 goals) and Emma Hubbard (9 goals) have been consistent contributors.
Boroondara-Carey made it through to the final after a 3-1 victory against Southern United last weekend.
After a scoreless first half, Emma Hubbard (51st minute) opened the scoring for the Eagles with a terrific curling first-touch strike on the edge of the box.
Only five minutes later, Hubbard pounced once again, squeezing between two Southern United defenders to send the ball into the back of the net for her second.
With seven minutes of regular time remaining Hubbard capitalised on a Southern United error to score her third for the match, in a terrific attacking display.
Head-to-Head:
Preston has won both matches against Boroondara-Carey this season, claiming a 3-0 win the last time they met. In round 10, the Lions were able to keep a clean sheet against the Eagles at home and their usual suspects were amongst the goals.
Keiwa Hieda opened the scoring for the home team in the 11th minute as she used her speed to get on the end of a nicely waited pass and send the ball flying into the back of the net.
Preston doubled their lead in the 14th minute with Daniella Galluccio taking advantage of a keeper deflection to score her second goal of the season.
Captain Rachel Stirton ensured victory for the Lions as she tapped the ball in from point-blank range from a corner after the Eagles were unable to clear the ball.
The two teams also faced off in Round One with Preston claiming victory away from home. Preston defeated Boroondara-Carey 0-4 with Rachel Stirton and Keiwa Hieda both scoring braces for the Lions.
With the Eagles looking for revenge on the season's biggest stage and the Lions looking to cap-off their near-perfect season, this promises to be a cracking contest.