RedStar win Hyundai Women's State Cup
Perth RedStar remain on track for a clean sweep of the 2022 silverware after they beat Perth SC 2-1 in the final of the Hyundai Women's State Cup.
Larissa Walsh and Jay Coleman scored the goals for Carlos Vega Mena's side at Inglewood Stadium, with Jaime Duncanson on target for the Azzurri.
The result means RedStar have added the State Cup to the pre-season Night Series. They will clinch the league title with six matches to spare if they defeat Perth again on Wednesday in their rearranged Round Five fixture. That leaves only the Top Four Cup for them to claim to ensure they have a monopoly of the trophies for this season.
Vega Mena said leading into this game that Perth SC had given them their toughest test this season, and that was the story again with little to choose between the sides in the opening period.
That changed when RedStar broke the deadlock 12 minutes before half-time. Carla Bennett's cross from the right was collected by Coleman and she laid the ball back to the edge of the box, where Walsh produced a first-time effort which curled away from Azzurri keeper Rebecca Bennett and into the top corner.
It was a tremendous finish from the NPLWA - Women's leading scorer, however the lead lasted a mere five minutes. Former Azzurri player Tessa De Leo's back-pass had Shivani Battaglia struggling, and the RedStar keeper could only hit her clearance against the pressing Faye Phillips. The ball ran into Duncanson's path and she side-footed into the empty net.
The second half was equally well balanced with both teams having their moments. RedStar's Sarah Carroll had an effort disallowed for offside, while at the other end Liana Cook's cross struck the upright.
Then as they always seem to do, RedStar found a winner. Carla Bennett's corner was missed by Rebecca Bennett, and Coleman came in unchallenged to bundle the ball home.
Perth SC chased a second equaliser. But with player of the match Andrea Texeira superb in defence, the Azzurri were unable to stop RedStar from claiming a 10th State Cup.