Canberra United have denied Melbourne Victory Women another tilt at W-League glory, triumphing in a penalty shoot-out following a scoreless draw over 120 minutes.
Despite dominating large chunks of the contest, the visitors left it to the last spot kick to see off a dogged Victory outfit, with Brianna Davey working overtime to deny the likes of Ashleigh Sykes and Michelle Heyman on a number of occasions.
The early stages were played on Canberra’s terms, putting pressure on Victory’s defence and not allowing them a clear route on goal in return.
The first real chance came after just five minutes when a poor pass out of the back by Lauren Barnes gifted Heyman possession, but her ball across the goal line was not met in time by Sykes to tap home.
Heyman was causing the hosts’ defence all sorts of trouble, also striking the crossbar with a looping header from a speculative cross.
Christine Nairn managed Victory’s first effort on target right into Chantel Jones’s arms just before the half hour mark, following up Elli Reed’s foray forward from right-back which resulted in a blocked shot on goal.
The Heyman and Sykes combo was menacing without reward, with the latter breaking through and playing a one-two with the former, before hitting the post in a one-on-one situation with Brianna Davey.
Lisa DeVanna was the next to rue a golden opportunity down the other end, running onto Nairn’s killer through ball into the box but not rounding Jones in time.
Victory came out with intent in the second half, as Quigley and Nairn both tested Jones with shots on target, but Canberra’s custodian was up to the task on both occasions.
Apart from the opening few moments, it was again Canberra with all the running in the next 45 minutes.
Heyman again had a golden chance to break the deadlock, heading over from close range with Davey beaten all ends up.
The visitors would be wondering what they had to do to score, with Brianna Davey pulling off a double save at one point to deny Sykes and Lori Lindsay, then Heyman headed the ball into the post, before striking a weak effort right at Davey again before the final whistle of regulation time.
Ochs was the next United player to test Davey, with her long range shot held confidently in the opening stages of extra time.
Victory’s highlights were coming from their non-preferred end, as Barnes’s incredible last ditch tackle denied the frustrated Heyman a free run on goal.
With time running out and a penalty shoot-out looming, two more Heyman efforts were sandwiched in between two De Vanna shots, as both players were unable to beat the respective ‘keepers.
While the first four spot kicks from each side went in, heartbreak ensued for Gulcan Koca as her penalty was blocked, while guest player Kendall Fletcher stepped up to prove herself Canberra’s hero despite not being able to play in the grand final.
Melbourne Victory Women 0 defeated by Canberra United 0 (4-5 on penalties) at Symonds Stadium
Melbourne Victory Women: 1. Brianna Davey (GK), 2. Hannah Brewer, 5. Lauren Barnes, 7. Steph Catley, 8. Amy Jackson, 9. Racheal Quigley (17. Gulcan Koca 110′), 10. Christine Nairn, 11. Lisa De Vanna, 12. Ella Mastrantonio, 16. Beattie Goad (15. Emma Checker 90′), 18. Elli Reed
Unused Subs: 4. Alex Natoli, 14. Tiff Eliadis, 20. Cassandra Dimovski (GK)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Canberra United: 1. Chantel Jones (GK), 2. Catherine Brown, 4. Kendall Fletcher, 6. Caitlin Munoz, 7. Ellie Brush, 11. Michelle Heyman, 12. Sally Rojahn, 13. Nicole Begg, 14. Ashleigh Sykes (9. Grace Gill 120′), 16. Lori Lindsey, 22. Steph Ochs
Unused Subs: 3. Julia De Angelis, 5. Grace Field, 15. Tegan Riding, 20. Melissa Maizels (GK)
Yellow Cards: Heyman 57′, Rojahn 62′, Lindsay 110′
Red Cards: None