By Jared Parry
USW women’s 1sts claimed a thrilling National Championship victory over the University of Edinburgh after a tense penalty shootout at the Sport Park.
The normal 90 minutes could not separate these sides, ending 0-0, before both teams scored in extra-time to leave it 1-1 and down to the lottery of spot-kicks.
And it went to sudden death, with USW prevailing 6-5 in what became a marathon affair.
The first half was cagey with both teams showing well disciplined defences.
The first real opportunity came when USW’s Chloe Chivers went on a scintillating run, piercing through the Edinburgh defence.
Chivers whipped the ball into the box only to rattle the crossbar, though Edinburgh hit back with Jennifer Brown rifling a shot from range over the bar shortly after.
Edinburgh came out firing after the break, with Brown firing a powerful shot against the bar. Moments later, the visitors’ Molly Orr-Love broke clean through the defence, forcing USW keeper Chelsea Herbert to make a superb save.
The chances kept coming for Edinburgh as Kayla Davenger struck the crossbar, and Orr-Love came for the rebound but couldn’t convert.
USW began to claw back with chances going to Joely Corrales and Lucy Attwood, though it was Edinburgh who put the ball in the back of the net just minutes from the final whistle – only for the effort to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
USW showed little sign of tired legs as the game went into extra-time and it was Corrales who broke the deadlock with a composed finish.
The hosts kept pushing for the goal that would have secured victory – Caitlin Davies tested the ‘keeper twice to no avail.
But when Edinburgh won a free-kick just outside the USW box with one minute to go, Kazya Stevens stepped up and tucked the ball right into the top corner with a stunning strike which sent the game to penalties.
Edinburgh’s first penalty – after USW had slotted their first – was brilliantly saved by Herbert. But when it came to Corrales needing to convert the final attempt to win it, she went for power and saw her shot hit the crossbar and stay out.
In sudden death it was Edinburgh who slipped up when Herbert again guessed right to keep out Davenger’s effort, sparking scenes of jubilation among the USW players.