THE Irymple Knights have a chance to move a giant step closer to their first Federation Sunraysia Senior Women’s S-League title in seven years with a victory this weekend.
The Knights face a young Mildura City side that are three points behind them on the competition ladder. With five weeks and four games remaining (including this Sunday’s match), the Knights know that a win this weekend will leave them needing just one more win to become S-League champions.
There’s been a stark improvement in the Knights’ defence this year. The side enter the match with an impressive stat: in the past five matches, they’ve allowed only one goal. Over the season, they have only conceded seven goals.
Knights coach Heather Stamation credited defenders Laura Goodwin and Jessica King for their solid defence, but also highlighted the value of goal-keeping specialists.
“I’ve got three goalkeepers … and they’re all experienced goalkeepers,” Stamation said.
“That (is) our point of strength.”
She said a focus this year was providing players with the opportunity to learn.
“I sort of changed the team around so girls go into backline and others come into the forward line. Everyone has a go in all areas, so that’s probably a good thing. (No-one is) stuck in one position.”
Irymple’s season echoes the success of the club’s successes from the first half of the 2010s, and it has helped that they welcomed back club standouts Argiro Karallis and Merrinda Hill this year. Karallis has been a standout performer for the Knights in the past six matches, scoring 23 goals. But there is a balance to the Knights’ attack with Jasmine Balchin, Elly Pantazopolous and Merrinda Hill all contributing to the goal sheet.
Mildura City field what might be the youngest team in the competition, with an average age of 14-15, according to City coach Daniel Mosello. This has meant they have had to spend time developing their structure while integrating newcomers.
But a bigger hurdle for City may be the absence of attacker Macaila Britton who, sitting second in scoring for the side, recently moved to South Australia to join National Premier League side Metro United.
Irymple and Mildura City have met twice this year and while they settled for a 3-3 draw in the S-League opener, the Knights were then able to capitalise on chances in their June fixture, coming out 4-1 winners.
Despite a season of sustained success, Stamation said this weekend’s match had the team especially “excited”.
“The girls are all high spirited and keen to play the game.”
Stamation’s message to the side was to do what they’d been doing all year.
“(I told the team) just do what you can on the day. Don’t put yourself under pressure and just play how you can.”
Meanwhile, Mosello said he was happy with the improvement his side had shown throughout the season and believed they’d shown the ability to compete against the competition’s more experienced sides.
“(If we play) as we train, then we can beat just about anyone in this league.”
Meanwhile, Mildura City have the chance to clinch the Senior Men’s S-League title when they take on Three Colours on Sunday afternoon.
