University sent out a statement of intent across the Women’s Division One in the season opener by outmaneuvering reigning champions Albion Park 5-1 at Terry Reserve in a 2018 grand final replay. Park found themselves down by three goals inside half an hour before Brittany Ring pulled one back right on half time, however, the Unicorns continued their high-intensity game plan in the second half to run out convincing winners.

 

University opened the scoring in the 10th minute after captain Elise Battin slalomed into the box before teeing up Georgina Mcdonnell for a simple tap in. The second goal nearly came a couple of minutes later when Park goalkeeper Grace Lockard, who played for University in 2018, spilt a cross to the feet of Isabella Walker who scooped her shot over the bar.

 

The Unicorns doubled their advantage in the 27th minute after Jaimie Bailey’s header hit the left post and came out to Mara Cosentino to slot home from near the penalty mark. A minute later they had their third off a thumping Kate Sebben free kick from about 40 metres out which Lockard misjudged before it bounced over her head and into the net.

 

In the final few minutes of the opening half, Ring had a few great chances to pull a goal back. The first went wide to the right, the second went over the bar but the third, in the first minute of added on time, found the back of the net. Ring jinked in from the left before letting fly from the edge of the area and finding the top right corner.

 

Given the goal on halftime, an Albion Park comeback in the second half seemed a distinct possibility, however, any momentum was quelled two minutes in when Uni scored their fourth. Lockard failed to deal with Mcdonnell’s cut back-come-shot from the right with the ball going through her legs before cushioning off the left post and into the goal.

 

The points were sealed in the 71st minute when Lisa Prior made it five for the Unicorns after a turnover in midfield led to the striker breaking through on goal before tucking the ball past the goalkeeper.

 

University did not relent in the final stages with Prior, Mcdonnell and Jordan Rean all having solid opportunities to extend the lead but the score remained 5-1 on the full time whistle.

 

In terms of results, it couldn’t get much better for University who had lost their past five meetings with Albion Park by an aggregate scoreline of 24-2. Unicorns coach Brod Crighton struggled to select a player of the match amongst a terrific team performance while emphasising the need to back the effort up at home to Woonona in round two.

 

“I don’t like singling any players out because everyone tried hard, everyone was really good,” Crighton said.

 

“They were all fantastic because they were all giving 100 per cent and they were all following their instructions.”

 

“It’s not about improving on that so much as replicating it [against Woonona], replicating it is going to be the big thing, it’s mental application now, we can’t stand on our laurels.”

 

As for Albion Park, the defeat ends a 40 match winning streak in local football and they will need to regroup ahead of a trip to Thirroul next Sunday.

 

Sunday 7 April 2019 @ Terry Reserve, Albion Park

 

Albion Park - 1 (RING 45+1’)

 

University - 4 (MCDONNELL 10’ 47’, COSENTINO 27’, SEBBEN 28’, PRIOR 71’)

 

Albion Park - Sarah ALWERT, Maddison ANGEL, Eliza COWAN, Renee CROWE, Tenaya DAVIS, Claire DUFFY, Michelle FOSCARINI, Kristina GLISIC, Jessica HANLY, Linda HILLARD, Nicole MCCRACKEN, Brittany RING, Casey-Leigh SUTTLE, Grace LOCKARD

 

University - Jaimie BAILEY, Elise BATTIN, Rhianna BROWN,  Lexi CARTER, Mara COSENTINO, Jinneecka Klenka, Georgina MCDONNELL, Pimwdee POLHILL, Lisa PRIOR, Jordan REAN, Kate SEBBEN, Tallara SHAW, Lisa TOLSON, Isabella WALKER, Hannah FARRUGIA, Chanal PAGE

 

Referee - Martin ROWNEY

 

Assistant Referees - Jordan BUCHANAN, Reagan GARNER

 

Report and photo by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela