Perth SC end wait with Night Series victory

Perth SC are celebrating their first trophy since the start of the NPLWA – Women’s competition after they recovered from 2-0 down to beat Perth RedStar on penalties in Sunday’s Night Series final.

The two sides served up a thriller, and the perfect lead-in to the new season, with chances galore at E&D Litis Stadium.

Yet the Azzurri’s bright start looked like it would count for nothing after they went in at the break two goals down.

A Sarah Carroll penalty on 32 minutes following a foul by Sophia Papalia on Renee Leota broke the deadlock. And 10 minutes Chiora Ikeda’s smart back-heel set up Reina Kagami, whose low finish had RedStar on track for more silverware after they swept the board last season.

But with 19 minutes left on the clock Perth SC were awarded a penalty of their own. A trip from Andreia Teixeira on Judy Connolly was punished as Abbey Meakins converted.

That brought a swift response from RedStar. A fantastic double save by Beck Bennett denied Ikeda and Jay Coleman, while Olivia Wood thought she was through only to be called back for offside.

Then as the game became stretched, Connolly broke down the left, turned inside her defender then stabbed the ball into the far corner to make it 2-2.

That meant penalties where Perth won 7-6 after RedStar skipper Coleman dragged her spot-kick wide.

RedStar goalkeeper Maya Diedrichsen won the Tracey Wheeler Medal as player of the match for her outstanding display, while her opposite number Bennett was equally impressive and even scored one of Perth’s penalties in the shoot-out.

The victory for Peter Rakic’s side gave Perth a maiden success since the NPL kicked off in 2020 and avenged last season’s State Cup final defeat. For their opponents it was a first loss of any kind since the former Northern Redbacks merged with ECU Joondalup to form Perth RedStar 12 months ago.

- Fremantle City defeated Hyundai NTC 2-0 in the third-place game which preceded the final. Jamie Lee Gale and Rhianna Lulitanond scored the goals.

NPLWA – Women’s Night Series final

E&D Litis Stadium

Perth RedStar 2-2 Perth SC
Perth SC won 7-6 on penalties