AN injury riddled and youthful North Geelong Warriors went down to Galaxy United 5-0 in the Final of the inaugural Women’s Division of the Geelong Community Cup at Stead Park last Sunday but the Warriors showed enough to suggest a big year awaits the team in 2020.
North had former Galaxy ‘keeper Emily Kenshole starting in goals and ex-Bell Park sharpshooter Elizabeth Sarcevic up front, but it was one of the squad’s talented young guns from last year who performed exceptionally well to take out the tournament’s Golden Boot award.
Milla Parkin, who is only 14 years of age, took out the inaugural Women’s Division Top Goalscorers’ award with a total of five goals, including a four goal haul in the team’s 6-0 thumping of Geelong SC on Saturday.
“I was surprised to receive the Golden Boot award, but I was glad I could contribute to North Geelong over the weekend. Being able to play alongside players like Lara Heric was amazing,” said the diminutive sharpshooter who also netted a goal in the Warriors’ 3-0 win over Rangers on Saturday.
Warriors’ coach Ivan Herceg was pleased with his team’s effort in the Cup to finish second behind the highly fancied Galaxy, which last year competed in the state’s highest women’s division NPLW Victoria.
“For our club and the squad of players we have, the tournament was a very successful one,” he said.
“We have managed to get some good results and some competitive minutes into each of the girls that played across the weekend. Overall the result we achieved coming second, is positive reinforcement that the club is heading in the right direction in regards to developing female footballers.
“Whilst the two day format for the cup was an innovative one, hosted by Geelong Soccer Club, the first day was a gruelling one which saw us play three games, totalling 160 minutes to qualify for the final, against Geelong Galaxy, arguably the best female team in the region,” he added.
According to Herceg, the squad depth was tested and unfortunately the Warriors lost some key players due to injury and had a depleted squad heading into Sunday’s final.
“Whilst the win to Galaxy was a convincing and deserved one, I can only thank the hard work and commitment shown by the Warriors girls who battled to the very end.
“In summary, it was a great tournament hosted and organised by Geelong Soccer Club which provided each competing club with an opportunity to test their squads and give them the valuable game time required ahead of the new season,” concluded Warriors’ Senior team coach Ivan Herceg.
