Shellharbour City FC-3, Woonona Sharks FC-1 @Myimbarr Park
Woonona put up a valiant effort but were sunk by a heroic hat-trick to make it a victory for Shellharbour.
In the 6th minute, Madelaine Costanzo struck her shot past the opposing keeper to make it 1-0 early in the game for Shellharbour.
Costanzo again in the 24th minute, picked her spot and doubled the lead, two goals for the rapid striker.
In the second half, Paige Hirst announced her arrival in the game with her goal in the 70th minute.
Woonona were back in the fight as they trailed by one goal.
Seven minutes later, City put the game to bed as none other than Costanzo made it a third for her side and for herself.
The hat-trick ball had her name written on it for this match.
3-1 to Shellhabour as they saw out the game to a close.
Shoalhaven is next for Shellharbour; the match will be played at home.
For Woonona, it will be an away match against Coniston.
University of Wollongong FC-2, Coniston FC-0 @Kooloobong Oval
University move to the next round with two goals scored to reject Coniston again from seeping into the top four
Just past the half-hour mark, Ariana Fleming released her effort into Coniston’s goal to break the deadlock of the game.
1-0 in the 32nd minute for University.
In the second half, Wollongong broke the morale of their visitors with a double up in the scoreline in the 58th minute.
Jessica Llewellin is to be thanked for her goal, which widened the margin between the two sides.
Coniston were kept out for the remainder of the game; University would not allow a comeback to occur at their own home ground.
The three points were secured for the hosts as they sustained their second-place spot on the ladder.
University have an away match against Bulli.
Wollongong will need to think twice in their approach in this upcoming fixture, as Bulli have now won twice consecutively.
Coniston have a game to decide whether they’re contenders or not for the top four as they take on fourth-placed Woonona at home.
Bulli FC-1, Shoalhaven FC-0 @Balls Paddock
A win again for Bulli, two consecutive wins, a big statement for their next array of opponents for the rest of the season.
Bulli’s defensive resilience is rewarding them again, as they had a victory in their prior engagement with Coniston.
They kept Shoalhaven clear of their net for the entirety of the first half and even past the hour mark.
Shoalhaven could tell by Bulli’s performance that their recent surprise victory was no accident.
They needed to focus on getting a goal before Bulli would recreate the same shock triumph.
It was the last ten minutes of the game, and Shoalhaven, who were the visitors, weren’t liking their odds as they drew closer to the full-time whistle.
Bulli’s strong mentality was the decisive factor as they remained calm and collected for the majority of the match.
In the 86th minute, however, Bulli sprang into action and grabbed the game by the throat.
Michelle Carney fired Bulli the winning shot to make Bulli victors twice in a row.
Shoalhaven left shell-shocked as Bulli ran away with another win under their belt.
Their mentality and resilient nature finally paid off in the final games of the season.
Bulli can’t be counted out for their next match with their good patch of form, even if it’s a home match against second-place, University in the next round.
A defeat was not what Shoalhaven needed, especially as they face Shellharbour away from home.
By Thomas Panayiotou
