Gorillas Seal Women's Capital League Title
North Pine 1 (Ball 21') UQFC 0 HT: 1-0 Played at Bob Brock Park
North Pine confirmed their 2017 Women's Capital League Premiership but it wasn't without absorbing long periods of pressure from a desperately unlucky UQFC, when they won 1-0 on Saturday evening at Bob Brock Park. Gorillas captain Alexis Ball proved the difference between the two teams with an easy finish after finding herself onside ten metres in behind the back four. It was the only time the Students backline was breached as North Pine looked competitive in the first half but struggled to get out of their own territory at all after the break, let alone fire a shot on target. Needing a win to go nine points ahead of today's opponents and officially seal the title, the favourites will have a different perspective on the looming finals series after being comprehensively outplayed by the underdogs. But North Pine wouldn't have kept that clean sheet without two sensational saves in the last ten minutes from Sasha Vijars, firstly tipping a shot from Mikaela Sullivan over the bar before diving low to block when it seemed that Lauren Blake was destined to score the equaliser. Aside from that, there were very few meaningful opportunities with defenses dominating and little space to work with around the penalty area. It may not have been entertaining but it was certainly absorbing. There was enough structure, discipline and pace on display tonight to suggest they will fit right in to the expected re-jigging of the Mt Franklin Women's Premier League next season, There are catch-up games still to be played but the expectation is of this game being a preview of the 1st v 2nd semi-final here at this venue in a fortnight's time and both sides can take some serious positives out of this game. A good team, it is often said, plays badly but still finds a way to win which is the story of North Pine's evening but the all round performance from UQFC adds an extra sub-plot to the story.
Coach Remarks:
Jamie Sanckson (North Pine): "We knew before the game the job we had to do and we knew it wasn't going to be easy. We knew UQ were going to come up and bring a fight because they are a tough team, physical. But the girls were ready. I told them at halftime we just needed keep the score at 1-0 and we didn't play well but we got the job done." Bill Wiliams (UQFC): "I thought it was the sort of game you expect between the top two teams. There was a lot to play for tonight. It was a real arm wrestle and I thought the quality was excellent. Well done to North Pine, and we'll look forward to seeing them in the finals."
FB Media Player Of The Match: Sasha Vijars (North Pine).
Two great saves were just the tip of the iceberg. Vijars dominated the area and played like an extra sweeper.
Team line-ups
North Pine: Vijars, Schools, Parker, New, Carloff, Schoots, Born, Schoener, Broad, Parker, Saville Subs: Di Francesco, Michel.
UQFC: Ryan, Leggatt, Mitchell, Hilton, Condon, Blake, Iannantuono, Szczotko, Lepontois, Sullivan, Peterson. Subs: McShane, Crossman, Mulligan. Referee: Craig Baldwin
