Fremantle City won the 2015 Women’s State League Division One Night Series Final, after a hard fought 2-0 victory over Stirling Panthers at Coker Park on Sunday.

Zoe Andrijich’s free kick early gave City the lead, but they had goalkeeper Morgan Cox to thank for making a number of fine saves to thwart Stirling, before a well taken second goal in the second half from Zoe Dewar sealed the win.

Photos: Vince Caratozollo

City Coach Felim Rugel said Cox was his man of the match, but after a lack luster first half they switched on after the break and deservedly won.

City coach Felim Rugel said despite the early goal his side’s first half performance was not the best.

“We switched on after the break and we deserved the win, and we scored a couple of good goals, both to Zoe,” he said.

“Morgan (Cox) saved us in the first half and made a couple of vital saves in the second half and I thought she was our man of the match, but we’re really pleased to win the competition.”

Both sides went through the group stage undefeated, so it was expected to be a tight game, but City had a perfect start and were ahead on six minutes.

Stirling defender Rebecca Salsano brought down Rachael Withoos on the edge of the penalty area, and Andrijich’s free kick deflected off the wall and into the net, giving Stirling keeper Zoe George no chance.

Stirling lifted and had Fremantle on the back foot, and Cox saved from Lauren Continibali moments later, and on ten minutes they went closer.

Sarah Hughes’ long-range free kick crashed off the crossbar and Continibali’s follow up header flashed over the top.

The woodwork then came to Stirling’s rescue five minutes before half time, Withoos’ shot crashed off the crossbar and away to safety.

Stirling ended the half the better, and a short corner caught Fremantle napping, and Continibali’s shot was superbly saved by Cox. From the resulting Continibali’s in-swinging corner, Cox had to be alert to tip it over the top at full stretch.

The game was made safe for Fremantle when they added a second on 56 minutes. A great through ball from Kate Thayer sent Dewar racing clear and she finished clinically past George.

Fremantle continued to press and Andrijich saw her shot well saved by George, before Dewar’s shot was cleared off the line by Monique Nicolaou.

But it was Fremantle who was celebrating after the game and skipper Dom Delfs said it was a pleasing performance against a good Stirling side.

“It was tough first half but we brought it together in the second half and got the job done,” she said. “After the break we got a great start with a good team move and a good finish from Zoe, and it turned the whole game around for us.”

Fremantle City 2 (Andrijich 6 mins, Dewar 56)
Stirling Panthers 0
Sunday 29th March 2015
Venue: Coker Park
Kick-off: 5pm

Fremantle City: GK Morgan COX, 3 Emma FITZGERALD, 5 Dom DELFS (c), 6 Dakota KAMSO, 7 Amy BUFFON, 8 Kirsty FRASER, 9 Selena LINO, 10 Ashleigh MOUTTET, 12 Sarah HUGHES, 15 Zoe ANDRIJICH, 17 Rachael WITHOOS, 19 Kate THAYER, 22 Zoe DEWAR, 23 Rachael OLIVER, 24 Karan TITHERIDGE, 122 Teegan WRIGHT

Stirling Panthers: GK Zoe GEORGE, 2 Lara AMEDURI, 3 Rebecca SALSANO, 4 Lauren CONTINIBALI, 5 Tahila PINTAUDI, 6 Jordanna MUSURUCA, 7 Monique NICOLAOU, 9 Clara LAY, 10 Rebecca SACOCCIO, 11 Catlin VALLELONGO, 12 Ashleigh PANALA, 13 Kora-Jay COOPER, 14 Emily BRAMICH, 15 Danielle MONASTRA (c)

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