Round Four of the NPLWA – Women’s competition begins on Friday night when Perth RedStar travel south to face Curtin University at Edinburgh Oval.
The defending champions have stabilised in the past fortnight with successive clean sheets against MUM FC and leaders Perth SC, following their surprise opening day reverse to Hyundai NTC.
RedStar conceded only nine goals in going through last season unbeaten, and goalkeeper Maya Diederichsen believes they can take plenty of positives from re-establishing those defensive qualities.
“We had a few more chances than Perth did and were a bit unlucky not to get the win, but it was a good performance from the team overall and we stayed strong,” she said.
“The game started a little scrappy but we found our groove and some of the passages of play we had deserved a goal. Perth put up a big fight against us in the games we played last year and we knew it was going to be similar again this season.
“We didn’t want them to get too far ahead of us or to get that confidence that they can run away with the league, even though it is early in the season. We obviously started with a loss, and credit to NTC who deserved the win, but we’ve come back against Murdoch and Perth the last two weeks and I’m sure it’s going to make for an exciting and close season.”
Diederichsen stepped up last season to fill the void left by Shivani Battaglia, who departed two-thirds of the way through last year to pursue an opportunity in the US College system. There was a sense of déjà vu for the shot-stopper last month after Zara Board moved to South Melbourne in NPL Victoria after initially signing with RedStar in the off-season.
“Last year Shivani left me with big boots to fill to help keep the unbeaten streak going and it was a little nerve-wracking, even though I knew she was leaving and I would be stepping in,” Diederichsen said.
“There was plenty of pressure to keep those results going, but it’s something you have to accept as a goalkeeper where you’re the last line of defence, and sometimes if a goalkeeper misses a shot it changes the game dramatically. It was a challenge I accepted, and I’m very grateful the team was able to finish off the season strongly and have the success we did.
“But I definitely wasn’t expecting to be playing this year. The last time I had my gloves on in the (2022) Top Four Cup Final, I fractured my wrist in the warm-up and played with a sore one. The next time I put my gloves on was the week Zara left when she played her last game (in the Night Series semi-final), and I only found out a couple of hours before that I would be playing in the final if we got through.
“It was a bit of a shock, but I love the sport and I love being out there. I’m glad my body is still holding up well enough for me to perform with the team and I really have to credit my defenders in front of me, who make my job a lot easier.
“My family have joked that I’m doing another John Farnham tour where I keep retiring and coming back, and it’s funny because I want to retire, but I also don’t want to retire. I still enjoy it and I’m always happy to step in with this great group of girls when they need me.”
As well as keeping clean sheets on a weekend, Diederichsen is working with RedStar’s young goalkeepers as part of Carlos Vega Mena’s coaching staff. Club champion Shawn Billam is also involved as an assistant having retired at the end of the last season, while across the league Faye Chambers is head coach at Fremantle City and Jess Byrne is assisting Peter Rakic at Perth SC.
Diederichsen hopes it is a trend that continues where female coaching presence is increased locally, and in particular where more former players stick around to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation.
“At RedStar we have Shawn and Jessica (Wheatman), who are both former players, and it’s great to see. It’s really exciting to see players who have played in the league stay involved in the game,” she said.
“From our perspective in the first team, a lot of the players know Shawn quite well and respect her as someone who has been such a big part of Redbacks and RedStar. She’s a great leader and communicator, and a great role model for the younger players, which is invaluable.
“Carlos has done a great job in blending that balance of youth and experience together and you have seen the younger players step up with confidence to play at a higher level when called upon. It’s a very exciting time with the FIFA Women’s World Cup here this year, and hopefully we can use that momentum to continue the growth of women’s football on and off the pitch and encourage people to stay connected to their local football clubs.”
Curtin go into the game on the back of three heavy loss, and they are still to register a goal.
On Saturday, unbeaten leaders Perth SC host Murdoch University Melville.
Peter Rakic’s team are yet to concede in the league this season, but MUM FC have already shown against Fremantle City in Round One that they should not be taken lightly. This is the fifth and final match of the day at Dorrien Gardens, starting with NPLW U21s at 9am. The Men’s NPL first team game between Perth and Floreat Athena is at 3pm.
The other two NPLWA - Women’s fixtures are on Sunday.
Second-place Hyundai NTC travel to Rosalie Park to face Subiaco. Both teams have had a week off but did win the previous week, so go into this one with confidence.
And Balcatta Etna and Fremantle City meet with both looking to claim a second win of the season.
All matches are live and free on Streamer.
See the Squadi app for all fixtures, results and tables.
Fixtures (3pm unless stated)
Friday
Curtin University v Perth RedStar (7.30pm)
Saturday
Perth SC v MUM FC (5pm)
Sunday
Balcatta Etna v Fremantle City
Subiaco v Hyundai NTC (3,45pm)
