Perth RedStar can wrap up the league title for a second season in a row when they face Balcatta Etna on Sunday in Round 19 of the NPLWA – Women’s competition at RedStar Arena.
Sarah Carroll’s last-gasp free kick gave the defending champions a thrilling 5-4 win over Hyundai NTC on Wednesday night, which was a rescheduled fixture from Round 14.
RedStar led four times through Abbey Woolley, Reina Kagami, Sophia Neal and Quyen Doan, and each time NTC pegged them back thanks to two goals apiece from Nelli Johnson and Tanika Lala. In the end, however, Carroll's set-piece was a worthy way to settle one of the games of the season.
It means Carlos Vega Mena’s side require only one point from their remaining three matches to lift the trophy and continue a dominant run which has only seen them lose only once in the league in nearly two full seasons.
For Balcatta, though, Sunday may be the only remaining opportunity to apply pressure on fourth-placed Hyundai NTC.
With the youngsters losing to leaders RedStar, Balcatta were able to close the gap on Ben Anderton’s team following a 4-1 win over Subiaco on Thursday night’s catch-up game from Round Three.
Etna led inside six minutes at Rosalie Park when Tia Stonehill scored from the penalty spot after Monique Prinsloo was fouled by Marissa Pidgeon.
It was 2-0 at half-time when Monique D’Opera reacted first after Stonehill’s shot was saved. But Subi got one back before the hour mark when Marianna Tabain brought up a dozen goals for the season with a simple finish following an error at the back from the visitors.
The two-goal cushion was restored six minutes later when Kim McCartney’s corner caused chaos in the Subiaco penalty area before finding its way in off a home defender.
Lauren Continibali then finished Stonehill’s cross from close range as Balcatta moved three points behind NTC having played one game more.
Elsewhere, the race to earn a double chance in the Top Four Cup remains on as Perth SC go to Hyundai NTC in a repeat of this month’s Hyundai Women’s State Cup semi-final.
Georgia Cassidy’s penalty five minutes from time eliminated Perth that evening, but Peter Rakic’s team did prevail 4-2 when the sides meet at E&D Litis Stadium in the league.
The Azzurri start the weekend two points clear of Fremantle City who host Subiaco as part of a Super Saturday at Hilton Park, with Freo’s Men’s State League side facing Gosnells City beforehand. Subiaco, meanwhile, will simply want to bounce back from Thursday’s defeat.
Round 19 begins tonight when Murdoch University Melville host Curtin University at Besteam Stadium.
David Biancuzzo’s team are unlikely to make the post-season but performances remain important as they have a State Cup final against NTC to look forward to in September.
Curtin will be looking to salvage something from their 2023 campaign over the final few games having lost all 17 of their matches so far.