Eastern Suburbs were crowned 2023 NPL Queensland Women’s Champions thanks to a 1-0 Grand Final win over Gold Coast United at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Emma Starr scored the games only goal as Lachlan Leong’s side claimed their first ever Championship, ending Lions run of four straight titles.
Starr slammed home a first time finish in the fourth minute after Sofie Persson brought down a Lauren Askin corner before finding her strike partner unmarked inside the area.
Maya Brueckner came close to adding a second for Easts when she sent a rasping strike inches wide of the top corner from the edge of the area in the 50th minute.
United, who fall to defeat at the final hurdle for the second season in a row struggled to create any real chances of note.
A pair of Momo Hayashi free-kick’s provided United’s best sight on goal with Emma Gibbon punching clear from the first before Claudia Danckert came within inches of connecting with a diving header midway through the second half.
It was then Easts turn to threaten from a set piece with Chantelle Maugeri turning a first time effort inches wide at the near post on the end of a Stella Mazzoni corner in the 78th minute.
Persson, who provided the assist for Easts goal nearly got herself on the scoresheet when she got on the end on a misplaced back pass but was unable get the required connection to add a second for Easts.
In the end neither side was able to add to the scoring as Easts hung on for the Championship with a 1-0 win.
Easts attacker, Emma Starr who’s goal proved to be the difference was named as Player of the Match following an energetic display for Easts.
Sunday’s match brought a close to another enthralling season of NPL Queensland action although supporters will have one last chance to see some of the league’s biggest names in action with Queensland set to face Victoria in a State-v-State battle at the home of the Matildas on Saturday, September 23.