SPORT

It was wet, cold and windy when we arrived at DISC for the State Finals. Star player Katie Collins was missing, sick, and our goalie Bethany had only played 4 soccer games previously. Katie was part of the goalie insurance scheme that if Bethany ever let through a goal it was everyone’s fault for letting the ball get to her. 

Emilie Keppens moved from Centre Mid to Centre Back to cover for Katie’s absence and it didn’t prevent her from scoring.

First game was against Ballarat High, who we accounted for 3-0.

We then played our toughest game so far against Kurnai College who were fast and very athletic. We managed a 1-0 victory which guaranteed us a place in the final against Bendigo Senior High.

We beat Northcote HS 5-0 although many of them had wandered home and we ended up playing against 9. Our super sub, Alice Devilliers got some game time and acquitted herself really well.

Then came the bad news. Bendigo had a player called Silver Bell Morris, a Young Matildas player who has been named on the bench for the senior Matildas team against Sweden as well as some other highly ranked players.

Then came the good news, runners-up still get a medal! This cheered everyone up and we looked forward to the final, although by now Georgia Cull had joined the injured list.

Anyway we thrashed Bendigo 3-1 and Bethany saved 2 out of three shots at goal from Silver, who came to Australia as a refugee from Myanmar in 2013.

The team and highlights:

Olivia Braakhuis was outstanding all day and her passing was sublime.

Georgia Cull was so strong in defence until her injury

Megan Elliott glides around the field and bamboozles defenders.

Remi Harris was amazing! Scored when I said “score in next 5 minutes or you’re coming off”

Emilie Keppens was just OMG and in the final double OMG. Incredible speed and power!

Niamh McEniry was solid in defence and ran all day. A vital part of our back 4.

Ava McLean scored from a long shot to open the scoring in one game and posed a real threat.

Katja Medd was a massive asset with her amazing skills and calm cool arrogance!

Matilda Overhill was a vital part of defence in the final - such a great team player and reads the game so well.

Irene Pecherski was another amazing player in defence and turned defence into attack on a number of occasions.

Alex Rozen was another player who made the back four function so brilliantly and her half time pep talks were spot on. I wish I’d written them down. Lucky to have her.

Sachi Simpson was really solid and played great! Considering her dad had to get her out of bed and bring her to school in time for the bus in 10 minutes.

Bethany Vermaak. She can really keep goal! Silver told me afterwards “She was really good. I was intimidated by her height”

Alice Devilliers from Year 9 agreed to play as a super sub to cover for player injuries or illness. She spent most of the day freezing but was really good when we chucked her on the field as part of the defence rotation. Fast, calm and smart !

Paul Varney