In the wake of the Matildas, Sydney University Soccer Football Club has five female teams on target for premierships at the end of the 26-round FNSW competition proper.
They include the Under 14s, 15s, 16s and 18s in the Girls’ Youth League and Reserve Grade in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
The University Under 14s collected the minor premiership after finishing the season proper undefeated with 23 wins and three draws, scoring 95 goals while conceding just 10.
They finished on 72 points, well clear of APIA Leichhardt (62), Blacktown Spartans (50) and NWS Spirit (50) who make up the top four going into the semi-finals. They’ll meet NWS Spirit on Sunday, with the winner progressing to the grand final.
The Under 15s finished the season proper with a 9-nil win over Macarthur Rams on Sunday.
APIA Leichhardt headed the ladder on 71 points, with Blacktown Spartans (70), Sydney University (58) and Football NSW Institute (54) making up the top four. The University will take on the Spartans on Sunday.
Sydney University’s Under 16s accounted for Macarthur Rams 5-nil on Sunday to finish second on the ladder on 61 points behind Illawarra Stingrays (63). Northern Tigers (59) and Football NSW Institute (57) make up the top four with University to meet the Tigers in their semi-final.
SUSFC Director of Football, John Curran, said the 16s should have won the minor premiership given they scored 109 goals and only conceded 29. “Olivia Vanderlaan scored 55 of those goals; a magnificent effort considering she also played games in the 18s and Reserve Grade,” he said.
The University’s Under 18s finished 3rd on the ladder on 53 points behind Football NSW Institute (66) and Blacktown Spartans (61), with NWS Spirit (51) making up the top four. They’ll meet the Institute in their semi-final.
“Injuries and call-ups to the senior squad affected their season and their final placing,” Mr Curran said. “They scored 78 goals while conceding 39, and we’re fortunate that many of the players will be staying with the club.”
The Reserve Grade also finished third, on 47 points, behind NWS Spirit (56) and Football NSW Institute (54), with Illawarra Stingrays (46) making up the four. The University will meet the Institute in their semi-final.
Mr Curran said the Reserves might also have finished higher but for injuries and call-ups to First Grade during the season. “They started the season with a very strong side and nine players ended up as First Graders,” he said.