Women's NSL - Season 2001/2002

Women's National Soccer League

Supplied by AWSA and transcribed by Thomas Esamie

P W D L F A Pts.

NSW Sapphires 10 9 1 0 39 7 28

Canberra Eclipse 10 6 2 2 20 9 20

Queensland Sting 10 5 3 2 16 8 18

Adelaide Sensation 10 3 0 7 12 23 9

Northern NSW Pride 10 2 1 7 15 32 7

Victoria Vision 10 1 1 8 5 28 4

Top Two sides (Sapphires and Eclipse) play the championship final.

Home Team v Away Team

Grand Final (played March 9)

Venue : Parramatta Stadium, Sydney

NSW Sapphires
Kell, Tann, Warrener, Gilbert, Garriock, Kimber (Ledbrook 89), Peters (McCallum 74), Davison, Carney (Cannuli 81), Golebiowski, Cavanagh 0 - 1 Canberra Eclipse
Hartley, Borucinski, Starr, Taylor, Davies, P Hepperlin, Wainwright, Karp, Thomson, Wilson, Munoz (D Hepperlin 90)
Goal : Caitlin Munoz 66

Caitlin Munoz's second half goal gave Canberra Eclipse a 1-0 victory in this afternoon's WNSL grandfinal over favourites NSW Sapphires who had dominated up until that point.
The national league crown is Canberra Eclipse's first ever after losing their only previous grandfinal appearance in 1998/99.
NSW Sapphires, chasing their third WNSL title, were devastated to go the ten-round season undefeated then lose today's decider.
NSW had all the possession in the first half, but Canberra's hopes were held together by a rock solid defence, led by Amy Taylor and Bridgette Starr.
Eclipse goalkeeper Lisa Hartley also kicked off a fine game with a fantastic flying save from close range midway through the first period to deny a certain goal from the head of NSW captain Anissa Tann. Joanne Peters and Kelly Golebiowski had shots blocked by the Canberra defence to result in a scoreless 45 minutes.
After the break, NSW continued in the same attacking vein but this time with more polish, their attack led by creators Heather Garriock on the left flank and Golebiowski up front. Alicia Cavanagh hit the woodwork of a gaping goal within three minutes, and had another golden opportunity saved 10 minutes later. Shortly after, Peters hit the bottom of the post from 20 metres.
Then, completely against the run of play, Canberra's Munoz skied an open chance from a goalmouth scramble. Less than a minute later came the goal. A neat ball forward was fed through for season joint top scorer (with Golebiowski and Cavanagh) Munoz, who turned the defender inside out before a clinical finish from 12 metres.
Determined to overcome their reputation for surrendering a lead in big matches, Canberra grew in confidence and held well. Ten minutes from time, Sapphires had a brilliant chance to equalise, a Golebiowski cross over the defence leaving Cavanagh an open goal but she skied the shot from 12 metres in front.
The spirited Canberra hung on through an extra four minutes of stoppage time before they were able to celebrate the upset win.
Canberra coach Clive Mackillop, in his first season at this level, was proud of his team's effort, saying "The girls won this game with a lot of guts and heart."

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts.
NSW Sapphires	10	9	1	0	39	7	28
Canberra Eclipse	10	6	2	2	20	9	20
Queensland Sting	10	5	3	2	16	8	18
Adelaide Sensation	10	3	0	7	12	23	9
Northern NSW Pride	10	2	1	7	15	32	7
Victoria Vision	10	1	1	8	5	28	4
Top Two sides (Sapphires and Eclipse) play the championship final.

Home Team		v		Away Team
Grand Final (played March 9)
Venue : Parramatta Stadium, Sydney
NSW Sapphires Kell, Tann, Warrener, Gilbert, Garriock, Kimber (Ledbrook 89), Peters (McCallum 74), Davison, Carney (Cannuli 81), Golebiowski, Cavanagh	0	-	1	Canberra Eclipse Hartley, Borucinski, Starr, Taylor, Davies, P Hepperlin, Wainwright, Karp, Thomson, Wilson, Munoz (D Hepperlin 90) Goal : Caitlin Munoz 66
Caitlin Munoz's second half goal gave Canberra Eclipse a 1-0 victory in this afternoon's WNSL grandfinal over favourites NSW Sapphires who had dominated up until that point. The national league crown is Canberra Eclipse's first ever after losing their only previous grandfinal appearance in 1998/99. NSW Sapphires, chasing their third WNSL title, were devastated to go the ten-round season undefeated then lose today's decider. NSW had all the possession in the first half, but Canberra's hopes were held together by a rock solid defence, led by Amy Taylor and Bridgette Starr. Eclipse goalkeeper Lisa Hartley also kicked off a fine game with a fantastic flying save from close range midway through the first period to deny a certain goal from the head of NSW captain Anissa Tann. Joanne Peters and Kelly Golebiowski had shots blocked by the Canberra defence to result in a scoreless 45 minutes. After the break, NSW continued in the same attacking vein but this time with more polish, their attack led by creators Heather Garriock on the left flank and Golebiowski up front. Alicia Cavanagh hit the woodwork of a gaping goal within three minutes, and had another golden opportunity saved 10 minutes later. Shortly after, Peters hit the bottom of the post from 20 metres. Then, completely against the run of play, Canberra's Munoz skied an open chance from a goalmouth scramble. Less than a minute later came the goal. A neat ball forward was fed through for season joint top scorer (with Golebiowski and Cavanagh) Munoz, who turned the defender inside out before a clinical finish from 12 metres. Determined to overcome their reputation for surrendering a lead in big matches, Canberra grew in confidence and held well. Ten minutes from time, Sapphires had a brilliant chance to equalise, a Golebiowski cross over the defence leaving Cavanagh an open goal but she skied the shot from 12 metres in front. The spirited Canberra hung on through an extra four minutes of stoppage time before they were able to celebrate the upset win. Canberra coach Clive Mackillop, in his first season at this level, was proud of his team's effort, saying "The girls won this game with a lot of guts and heart."