Perth SC continued their red-hot start to the NPLWA - Women’s campaign on Sunday with a statement 6-0 win over Fremantle City at Dorrien Gardens.
With the Night Series title under their belt and 10 goals in their first two league games without reply, Peter Rakic’s side go into next week’s fixture with champions Perth RedStar in fine fettle.
They were ahead after 15 minutes when Ellie La Monte burst away from the Fremantle defence and slid a low shot past Dayle Schroeder. The forward, who returned to WA in the off-season from Launceston United, then slammed home a second eight minutes before the interval.
The Azzurri’s ruthless streak was in evidence in the second half. La Monte squared for Faye Phillips to make it three, before Gemma Craine scored a sensational solo goal as she collected the ball inside her own half, drove towards goal, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net.
Phillips burst clear of the defence to make it 5-0 after a one-two with La Monte, who had the final word when she stabbed in from close range to compete her hat-trick and a big win for Perth.
Hyundai NTC are the only other team with a 100% record after two rounds with Tanika Lala’s late goal giving them a 1-0 win over Balcatta Etna in Sunday’s other match.
The youngsters dominated possession and had the better of the opportunities at E&D Litis Stadium but were frustrated by a determined Etna rearguard.
Gabby Dal Busco made a stunning early save to tip away Grace Johnston’s effort which was bound for the top corner, while a free Lala header from a corner hit her own team mate and was cleared to safety.
Balcatta’s best chance came when Tia Stonehill almost capitalised on an error at the back from NTC, but the 2021 Gold Medal winner rushed her effort and struck wide of the post.
The pressure continued from Ben Anderton’s team and Ischia Brooking tried her luck on a couple of occasions, only to be thwarted by Dal Busco.
Eventually, they broke through and it was their top scorer from last year who delivered the killer blow.
Lala picked the ball up from Maja Archibald’s pass, drove into the penalty area and rifled an unstoppable strike past Dal Busco into the far corner to down a gutsy Balcatta and keep NTC’s 100% start intact.
On Friday night, Subiaco recorded the largest win in the NPLWA – Women’s era after putting 13 goals past Curtin University, as four players netted hat-tricks for Greg Farrell’s side.
The victory rewrites the record books for Subi, who held the previous record for the heaviest defeat after their 11-0 loss to Balcatta in the inaugural NPLW season of 2020.
Dakota Van Vugt lifted in the first after a short corner routine before Marianna Tabain finished a nice team move involving Ava Richards and Frankie Murray.
Siena Crevacore bagged the first of her four goals soon after, with Van Vugt lashing in a fourth, and Tabain slotting in a fifth before the interval.
Crevacore completed her hat-trick with a pair of confident finishes early in the second period, and Van Vugt curled in after two efforts cannoned off the crossbar to make it eight for the visitors.
Murray pulled back to Crevacore for 9-0 and double figures was brought up when Murray fired across the goalkeeper, with three late goals adding further gloss to Subi’s scoreline.
Tabain rifled in to bring up her treble for the evening and Murray joined her with a trio of goals after two close-range efforts to complete the rout.
Like Subi, RedStar bounced back from a Round One loss as they defeated Murdoch University Melville 2-0 at Besteam Stadium.
A goal in each half proved enough for the defending champions. Skipper Jay Coleman got the opener after 15 minutes with a terrific header from Chiori Ikeda’s corner.
RedStar doubled their lead barely a minute into the second half when Renee Leota was fouled on the edge of the area.
A penalty was awarded, and Sarah Carroll sent Stacey Cavill the wrong way from the spot, as Carlos Vega Mena’s side managed their two-goal buffer to get off the mark in 2023.
Results
Curtin University 0-13 Subiaco
Hyundai NTC 1-0 Balcatta Etna
MUM FC 0-2 Perth RedStar
Perth SC 6-0 Fremantle City