Perth RedStar have claimed the NPLWA - Women’s title for a third season in a row following a 6-0 thrashing of Fremantle City.
Carlos Vega Mena’s side knew victory on Saturday would ensure they surpassed Murdoch University Melville’s two league triumphs in the NPL era. RedStar are also the first team to win three top-flight titles in a row since they did it under the Northern Redbacks name between 2003 and 2005.
Defeat ended Freo's run of three straight wins, but they remain on track for the Top Four Cup as they have a seven-point gap to fifth and have four games remaining.
RedStar’s platform was set with two goals in the first quarter of an hour. Caitlin Doeglas’ cross on seven minutes was initially won in the air by Emily Dunn with Olivia Wood on hand to make it 12 goals for the season.
Wood was involved again nine minutes later as the forward drove down the right wing before supplying an inch-perfect cross for Reina Kagami to net from close range.
The champions had a third goal before the break with Wood, Kagami and Doeglas all combining before the release from the latter was latched on to by Dunn who slotted in her first league goal of the NPL era.
It got better for RedStar on a wet and windy afternoon as Sarah Carroll’s inviting inswinging cross from the left was headed in by Kagami who brought up her 19th goal of the season.
City had the chance to pull one back with an hour played but Gabby Dal Busco saved Tanika Lala’s penalty kick, and the visitors went on to score twice more as they avenged the defeat they suffered on their previous trip to Hilton Park.
Substitute Renee Leota volleyed home at the back post from Mischa Anderson’s deep cross before Leota sneaked in behind the Freo defence to control and finish past Dayle Schroeder.
The win saw RedStar surpass last season’s league-winning points tally and maximum points from their final two games will see them match the 57 points they accrued in their undefeated campaign of 2022.
That year they swept the board with four trophies and they are halfway there again, with the Night Series and league title in the bag, and the Hyundai Women's State Cup final and Top Four Cup still to come.
The only other Round 19 match that was played this weekend was at Rosalie Park on Sunday as Balcatta Etna cemented third spot with a 1-0 win against Subiaco.
The fixture was originally scheduled for Home Group Stadium on Friday but was switched because the Balcatta pitch was unplayable.
Abbey Meakins’ shot from 25 yards was straight at Subi keeper Isobel Robison on 27 minutes, while at the other end Marianna Tabain’s volley was deflected wide of the mark in a first half of few chances.
Balcatta broke the deadlock in the 54th minute following good work from Jamie-Lee Gale who crossed from the right for Lucy Jerram to arrive and score her 11th goal this term.
Jerram came close to a second on two occasions with a long-range shot forcing Robinson to turn away from danger before a trademark left-footed drive flew just wide of the post.
Cass Harvey intercepted Rebecca Bennett’s misplaced clearance and put a good Subi chance wide of the post, while Meakins may have added a second with 12 minutes to play after being teed up by Monique Prinsloo.
Balcatta were given a late scare with Tamzyn Aisbett’s effort from Savannah Olsthoorn’s cross was pushed around the post by Bennett, but one proved to be enough for Etna who made it back-to-back wins to nil.
UWA Nedlands’ fixture with Murdoch University Melville and Perth SC’s clash against Hyundai NTC, both scheduled for Saturday, were postponed.