It was a round that was full of goals and entertainment, with South Melbourne, Ashburton United and Boroondara all notching up massive victories with the starting XI littered with players from these clubs. Bundoora and Bulleen played out a classic 4-3 result and three players from that game made the cut, while there was also room for a pair of Sandringham players in their 2-0 win over Heidelberg. Between NTC and Box Hill, we saw a debut on the pitch and a debut in the Team of the Week to boot.
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GK: Beth Mason-Jones (Bundoora United)
Simply sublime despite copping three goals, the Bundoora stopper was the hero and player of the match against Bulleen Lions. She made crucial stops at the right moments, which kept her side in the lead throughout the contest.
CB: Christine Pfeiffer (Ashburton United)
Ashburton’s centre-half was cool, calm and ultimately concentrated as she marshalled her side past the potential landmine game that was South Yarra. She scored a goal from defence and ensured South Yarra didn’t have to work Maizels in goal.
CB: Lucyna Kapusta (Sandringham SC)
Superb in defence against Heidelberg, especially in the second half when the visitors cranked up the pressure. Made a smart goal line clearance and showed plenty of intelligence in dealing with the trickery and pace of the Bergers forwards. Distribution was class as well.
CB: Jade Feakes (South Melbourne)
The NTC graduate was a rock at the back for South Melbourne and looked at home next to captain Alex Cheal. Made countless interceptions and while South Melbourne may have gotten the plaudits at the other end, their young centre-half allowed them to express themselves fully up the field.
LM: Melina Ayres (Ashburton SC)
The young teenager has had a wonderful start to 2015, and her rise to prominence over the last year has been scary. She scored a hat-trick from the flank against South Yarra and was the best on ground. If she keeps up this level of performance, it won’t be long before her name is know across the country.
CM: Ellie Brush (Box Hill United)
One player whose name is well known is Box Hill midfielder Ellie Brush who makes the Team of the Week starting XI after finding herself on the bench the week before. Her duties running the engine room didn’t go unnoticed, as she kept everything ticking over, while also adding a goal for her troubles.
CM: Amy Jackson (Boroondara Eagles)
Jackson was the standout performer for Boroondara with a hat-trick that consisted of a couple of poacher’s efforts and a strong header. She should’ve had four, but missed a penalty to scupper that chance. Aside from her goals, Jackson also controlled the midfield, reading the play expertly and opening up Caulfield with multiple defence splitting through balls.
AM: Emma Robers (Sandringham SC)
Young Robers learnt a lot from her spell at full-back last year, which saw her break into the Sandringham side. Afforded more room now in a more advanced position, Robers starred with a brace, but it wasn’t just her goals that sees her secure a spot in the team. Her attack on the ball, press and desire to win it back made life easier for those around her.
RM: Georgia Cloepfil (Ashburton United)
Completing the trio of Ashburton players in the Team of the Week is American Georgia Cloepfil, who – like Brush – found herself on the TOTW bench for Round One. Her signature looks like a shrewd signing for Sinisa Cohadzic as she’s seriously impressed in her two performances to date. A goal and a number of assists contributed to the 10-0 score line.
ST: Brittany Dudley-Smith (South Melbourne)
Looks a girl possessed in a blue shirt this year, with her season tally of 19 goals in her fruitful 2013 season looking destined to be over taken. Piled on four goals against old side Casey Comets and was full of running, and made clever runs which teammate Eliadis delivered upon.
ST: Tiff Eliadis (South Melbourne)
Speaking of which, Eliadis is the final player to make up the starting XI after nabbing a goal and three assists against Casey. Her vision playing as a 10 was incredible as she fed ball, after ball, after ball to her teammates, while nabbing a classy finish of her own.
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Bench:
Teresa Morrisey (Senior NTC)
NTC’s young stopper made her way into the line-up for a surprise debut, due to an injury to Erin Hudson. She was outstanding and finds herself incredibly unlucky to miss out on a starting XI berth. Did well to keep Box Hill to one and will be hard to displace from the number one jersey.
Alex Gummer (Boroondara Eagles)
Perhaps Caulfield may not have provided Boroondara the sternest of tests, but that doesn’t take anything away from Gummer’s performance, who stood out for both her defensive duties and creativity, almost nabbing a couple of assists if not for Boudreau and Hubbard’s near misses.
Carol Howes (South Melbourne)
Had a good game last week and backed it up again against Casey with a tenacious performance in midfield. Didn’t grab a goal or assist, but was always hungry for the ball, and her hard running freed up teammate Alison Baker – who was also superb – to grab herself a goal and assist.
Cindy Lay (Bulleen Lions)
Bulleen’s best against Bundoora and nearly sparked a late revival, but her side fell one goal short of the miraculous. Scored a goal and so easily could’ve had more, were it not for the brilliance of Mason-Jones and a sturdy crossbar.
Sarah Jacobs (Boroondara Eagles)
Like Jackson, Jacobs was everywhere on the night, getting forward and tracking back to complete a classy midfield performance. Was deadly on the set piece as well, scoring directly from one corner kick and assisting Jackson with another.
Stacey Papadopoulos (Bundoora United)
Bundoora winger Stacey Papadopoulos may be smaller in stature, but she proved height is just a number after scoring a header against Bulleen. An energetic display all round from the flank and was Bundoora’s best outfielder in a magnificent contest at Hillsview.