Women's NSL - Season 2000/2001

Women's National Soccer League

Supplied by AWSA and transcribed by Thomas Esamie

P W D L F A Pts.

Queensland Sting 5 5 0 0 12 1 15

NSW Sapphires 5 3 1 1 15 7 10

Northern NSW Pride 5 2 0 3 7 11 6

Adelaide Sensation 5 2 0 3 4 8 6

Victoria Vision 5 1 2 2 6 9 5

Canberra Eclipse 5 0 1 4 4 12 1

Sides 2 and 3 (Sapphires and Pride) playoff for the right to meet the top side (Sting) in the championship final.

Australian Women's National Soccer League Results

Grand Final (played December 16)

Venue : Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Queensland Sting
Nichols, Nolan, Bartlett, McShea, Tramacchi (Mitchell 82), Duus, Revell, Harch, Maza (Dunne 65), Ferguson, Mann
Goal : Traci Bartlett 56 1 - 0 NSW Sapphires
Kell, Tann-Darby (c), Warrener, Kristine Collins, Slatyer (Golebiowski 58), L Collins, Rockall, Klessattel, Davison, Carney, McLaughlin (Cannuli 68)

Queensland Sting maintained their perfect win record for the season in tonight's WNSL grandfinal in Brisbane, their narrow 1-0 victory over NSW Sapphires earning them the coveted national league title.
The national league crown is Queensland's second, having won the inaugural title in season 1996/97.
The Sting produced the goods in front of a record WNSL crowd of 2,665 over traditional rivals NSW in a thrilling clash with plenty of goalmouth action at each end. The grandfinal featured after the Brisbane Strikers' NSL fixture.
After comfortably defeating the Sapphires 3-1 in their last encounter and entering the decider as favourites, Queensland were made to fight hard this time by a spirited NSW.
After numerous good opportunities from both teams, the excitement grew in the last ten minutes before the break with several spectacular close attempts. Sting's midfield duo Bryony Duus and Kim Revell showed their class, each with a telling pass to split the NSW defence, Alexis Tramacchi first set up for a one-on-one with keeper Cass Kell who made two quickfire saves. April Mann was released with Revell's through ball, her strike from wide on the left hitting the crossbar. Meanwhile, Sapphires' Emma Davison's attempt from 20 metres crashed against the crossbar and bounced down near the line before the keeper smothered it.
The home fans erupted when the Sting broke the deadlock eleven minutes into the second half in stunning fashion. Defender Traci Bartlett controlled the ball 25 metres out before unleashing an unstoppable dipping volley.
Sting goalkeeper Claire Nichols was kept busy repelling the NSW attack in search of the equaliser, the visitors creating top chances but failing to convert. Queensland's Mann then struck from wide on the left only to see the ball once more hit the woodwork.
The match ended in dramatic circumstances with a quality chance to NSW well into stoppage time to level the scores. Midfielder Taryn Rockall broke through on goal in a one-on-one situation and got past the keeper, but was taken down and denied the opportunity to get in the shot. Solid claims of a penalty were dismissed, and soon after Queensland Sting celebrated the big win.
Tomorrow at the Julie Dolan Medal Presentation, players from both sides are likely to be well in the running for the major honour awarded to the WNSL player of the year. Other awards to be announced at the luncheon function in Brisbane are WNSL Rising Star, WNSL Highest Goalscorer, and International Player of the Year.

2nd v 3rd Playoff (played December 9)

Venue : St George Stadium, Sydney

NSW Sapphires
Kell (King 84), Tann-Darby, Warrener, Kristine Collins, Slatyer (Davison 84), L Collins, Rockall, Klessattel, Carney, Golebiowski, McLaughlin (Gilbert 72)
Goals : Justine McLaughlin 26, Thea Slatyer 43, Kelly Golebiowski 59, 75, Lisa Gilbert 87 5 - 1 Northern NSW Pride
Praszczalek (Logue 46), Ingles, Wilson, Attwill, Stevens, Alley (Aimie Neilson 78), Crawford, King (Colthorpe 72), McMinn, Dunne, Gill
Goals : Rose Dunne 89

NSW Sapphires easily defeated rivals Northern NSW Pride in this evening's WNSL semifinal (2^nd v 3^rd playoff) to book their berth into next week's grandfinal against frontrunners Queensland Sting.
Defending champions and favourites NSW Sapphires were far too strong for Northern Pride in the 5-1 defeat, displaying impressive passing combinations and movement off the ball in the sudden-death clash.
The Sapphires were depleted in numbers with four away with the Australian Schoolgirls Team, but still retained very close to their starting eleven. On the other hand, Northern suffered the absence of key players playmaker Amber Neilson (suspended) and Matildas defender Cheryl Salisbury (injured), and the young side had little to combat the confident Sapphires.
Northern NSW did however make a lively, spirited start, creating the occasional opportunity but lacking any firepower in front of goal. It wasn't long before the experience of the Sapphires told and the pressure on the opposition goal increased, Anissa Tann-Darby, Taryn Rockall, and Kelly Golebiowski all unlucky not to open Sapphires' account. It came in the 26^th minute with midfielder Thea Slatyer's strike from wide on the left, and the on-target ball was palmed up by the goalkeeper. Lurking near goal, Justine McLaughlin nailed the loose ball into goal from the acutest of angles on the right.
Rachael Alley had Northern's closest chance when the NSW defence gave the ball straight to her, but her shot from 16 metres was fingertipped over the crossbar in the 38^th minute by the keeper. The home side then doubled their lead two minutes before the break, Slatyer with a magnificent shot from wide near the left touchline, the ball dipping just under the crossbar.
The Sapphires continued the scoring theme in the second half against a tiring Pride. Golebiowski struck next in the 59^th minute, slotting home the crumbs after 13-year-old substitute keeper Alison Logue spilt a high cross under pressure. Golebiowski then scored her second in the 75^th, this time a neat first-time side-footed shot from 12 metres to finish a Lisa Gilbert lobbed pass.
Substitute Gilbert scored NSW's fifth with a fantastic drive on the turn from 16 metres to celebrate her 22^nd birthday. Northern were allowed a brief celebration a minute from time when Rose Dunne scored their consolation goal, a sensational effort from the right side of the 18-yard box into the top left corner of the net. Gilbert almost added another for the home side with a great thumping drive which cannoned off the frame of the goal.
Whilst the Sapphires go on to focus on another grandfinal and a shot at the title, Northern can at least draw some solace from this still being their best ever league placing at third.

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts.
Queensland Sting	5	5	0	0	12	1	15
NSW Sapphires	5	3	1	1	15	7	10
Northern NSW Pride	5	2	0	3	7	11	6
Adelaide Sensation	5	2	0	3	4	8	6
Victoria Vision	5	1	2	2	6	9	5
Canberra Eclipse	5	0	1	4	4	12	1
Sides 2 and 3 (Sapphires and Pride) playoff for the right to meet the top side (Sting) in the championship final.

Australian Women's National Soccer League Results
Grand Final (played December 16)
Venue : Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Queensland Sting Nichols, Nolan, Bartlett, McShea, Tramacchi (Mitchell 82), Duus, Revell, Harch, Maza (Dunne 65), Ferguson, Mann Goal : Traci Bartlett 56	1	-	0	NSW Sapphires Kell, Tann-Darby (c), Warrener, Kristine Collins, Slatyer (Golebiowski 58), L Collins, Rockall, Klessattel, Davison, Carney, McLaughlin (Cannuli 68)
Queensland Sting maintained their perfect win record for the season in tonight's WNSL grandfinal in Brisbane, their narrow 1-0 victory over NSW Sapphires earning them the coveted national league title. The national league crown is Queensland's second, having won the inaugural title in season 1996/97. The Sting produced the goods in front of a record WNSL crowd of 2,665 over traditional rivals NSW in a thrilling clash with plenty of goalmouth action at each end. The grandfinal featured after the Brisbane Strikers' NSL fixture. After comfortably defeating the Sapphires 3-1 in their last encounter and entering the decider as favourites, Queensland were made to fight hard this time by a spirited NSW. After numerous good opportunities from both teams, the excitement grew in the last ten minutes before the break with several spectacular close attempts. Sting's midfield duo Bryony Duus and Kim Revell showed their class, each with a telling pass to split the NSW defence, Alexis Tramacchi first set up for a one-on-one with keeper Cass Kell who made two quickfire saves. April Mann was released with Revell's through ball, her strike from wide on the left hitting the crossbar. Meanwhile, Sapphires' Emma Davison's attempt from 20 metres crashed against the crossbar and bounced down near the line before the keeper smothered it. The home fans erupted when the Sting broke the deadlock eleven minutes into the second half in stunning fashion. Defender Traci Bartlett controlled the ball 25 metres out before unleashing an unstoppable dipping volley. Sting goalkeeper Claire Nichols was kept busy repelling the NSW attack in search of the equaliser, the visitors creating top chances but failing to convert. Queensland's Mann then struck from wide on the left only to see the ball once more hit the woodwork. The match ended in dramatic circumstances with a quality chance to NSW well into stoppage time to level the scores. Midfielder Taryn Rockall broke through on goal in a one-on-one situation and got past the keeper, but was taken down and denied the opportunity to get in the shot. Solid claims of a penalty were dismissed, and soon after Queensland Sting celebrated the big win. Tomorrow at the Julie Dolan Medal Presentation, players from both sides are likely to be well in the running for the major honour awarded to the WNSL player of the year. Other awards to be announced at the luncheon function in Brisbane are WNSL Rising Star, WNSL Highest Goalscorer, and International Player of the Year.
2nd v 3rd Playoff (played December 9)
Venue : St George Stadium, Sydney
NSW Sapphires Kell (King 84), Tann-Darby, Warrener, Kristine Collins, Slatyer (Davison 84), L Collins, Rockall, Klessattel, Carney, Golebiowski, McLaughlin (Gilbert 72) Goals : Justine McLaughlin 26, Thea Slatyer 43, Kelly Golebiowski 59, 75, Lisa Gilbert 87	5	-	1	Northern NSW Pride Praszczalek (Logue 46), Ingles, Wilson, Attwill, Stevens, Alley (Aimie Neilson 78), Crawford, King (Colthorpe 72), McMinn, Dunne, Gill Goals : Rose Dunne 89
NSW Sapphires easily defeated rivals Northern NSW Pride in this evening's WNSL semifinal (2^nd v 3^rd playoff) to book their berth into next week's grandfinal against frontrunners Queensland Sting. Defending champions and favourites NSW Sapphires were far too strong for Northern Pride in the 5-1 defeat, displaying impressive passing combinations and movement off the ball in the sudden-death clash. The Sapphires were depleted in numbers with four away with the Australian Schoolgirls Team, but still retained very close to their starting eleven. On the other hand, Northern suffered the absence of key players playmaker Amber Neilson (suspended) and Matildas defender Cheryl Salisbury (injured), and the young side had little to combat the confident Sapphires. Northern NSW did however make a lively, spirited start, creating the occasional opportunity but lacking any firepower in front of goal. It wasn't long before the experience of the Sapphires told and the pressure on the opposition goal increased, Anissa Tann-Darby, Taryn Rockall, and Kelly Golebiowski all unlucky not to open Sapphires' account. It came in the 26^th minute with midfielder Thea Slatyer's strike from wide on the left, and the on-target ball was palmed up by the goalkeeper. Lurking near goal, Justine McLaughlin nailed the loose ball into goal from the acutest of angles on the right. Rachael Alley had Northern's closest chance when the NSW defence gave the ball straight to her, but her shot from 16 metres was fingertipped over the crossbar in the 38^th minute by the keeper. The home side then doubled their lead two minutes before the break, Slatyer with a magnificent shot from wide near the left touchline, the ball dipping just under the crossbar. The Sapphires continued the scoring theme in the second half against a tiring Pride. Golebiowski struck next in the 59^th minute, slotting home the crumbs after 13-year-old substitute keeper Alison Logue spilt a high cross under pressure. Golebiowski then scored her second in the 75^th, this time a neat first-time side-footed shot from 12 metres to finish a Lisa Gilbert lobbed pass. Substitute Gilbert scored NSW's fifth with a fantastic drive on the turn from 16 metres to celebrate her 22^nd birthday. Northern were allowed a brief celebration a minute from time when Rose Dunne scored their consolation goal, a sensational effort from the right side of the 18-yard box into the top left corner of the net. Gilbert almost added another for the home side with a great thumping drive which cannoned off the frame of the goal. Whilst the Sapphires go on to focus on another grandfinal and a shot at the title, Northern can at least draw some solace from this still being their best ever league placing at third.