The Swanettes defeated hosts Morwell Pegasus 4-0 on Sunday, August 13, in Round 20 of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, claiming the first senior women’s league championship in Sale United Football Club history.
The hosting outfit wouldn’t make it easy for Sale.
A well-prepared Pegasus readied for a formidable opponent, fully aware of the impending high-stakes encounter, with a Sale United victory clinching the league title for the travelling side with three games remaining.
With Morwell Pegasus having proven to field one of the strongest defensive lines in the LVSL, conceding just 32 goals throughout the season, Sale knew they had no choice but to deliver their best if they were to secure the league championship.
The home team struck aggressively from the outset. Pegasus dominated in the early doors, denying Sale the opportunity to play their brand of football, demonstrating tenacity through their midfield, speed up front, and a defensive line that is a force to be reckoned with.
Despite sitting in eighth position on the LVSL ladder, Pegasus conceded just 32 goals ahead of Round 21, equal to third-place Newborough Yallourn United Soccer Club.
The only other sides to have conceded fewer goals this season are second-place outfit Fortuna 60, conceding 22, and 2023 league champions Sale United, conceding just 9.
As Pegasus pressed on the wing, looking to break through their opponent’s defence, Sale United right and left backs Naomi McPherson and Rohanna Mills were put to the test early, rising to the challenge, thwarting the home side’s attempts with the assistance from centre backs Rebecca Stobie and Emma Robb.
Sale showed their class as they settled into the match, with right winger Hollie Ryan scoring the game’s opening goal in the 11th minute to put the Swanettes 1-0 in front.
The game drastically shifted as Sale United regained control, the Swanettes bursting forward past the home side’s defence through the likes of Ryan, left winger Dani Wilson, striker Anouk Meereboer and midfielder Zoe Askew.
Pegasus denied Sale several times to forge ahead.
Meereboer found the back of the net at 23 minutes, while a screamer from playing coach Madeliene Breakspear propelled the Swanettes to a 3-0 lead at the 30-minute mark.
Pegasus had a mountain to climb as teams returned from the break.
Sale United was free to play their brand of football as the Round 20 clash reached the midway point with the Swanettes well and truly settled and in control of the game.
Pegasus showed relentless spirit, denying countless Sale attempts on goal in the final 45 minutes.
Despite numerous opportunities, the Swanettes managed just one goal in the second half. League-leading goal scorer Meereboer buried the ball in the net in the 51st minute to seal Sale United’s 4-0 win over hosts Morwell Pegasus.
Having secured Sale United Football Club’s first women’s league championship, the Swanettes quickly turned their attention to Round 21 – their final home game of the LVSL 2023 season.
The newly crowned 2023 league champions, Sale United, faced 2022 league champions Morwell Falcons in a Women’s World Cup promotional match at the weekend, with the senior women the headline fixture, kicking off at 7pm.
Sale United were victorious in the battle of the birds, defeating Falcons 3-1 in a contested match.
Meereboer scored a brace, with Ryan putting away one for the Swans.
While England shattered the Matildas’ dream of lifting the Women’s World Cup trophy last Wednesday, Sale’s dream of lifting the LVSL Championship Cup was fulfilled on Saturday.
Sale United Football Club life members Sheena Brown and Janie Mitchell presented the LVSL Championship Cup to the senior women following the Swanettes Round 21 Women’s World Cup promotional match against Morwell Falcons.
Brown and Mitchell are among Sale United Football Club’s longest-serving members.
The Swanettes have been on an upward trajectory since winning Sale’s first-ever Browne-Huzier Cup in September last year, with the senior women going on to win their first-ever Kendall Cup championship in February and be among the 40 Victorian women’s football teams to reach Round 3 of the state-wide knockout competition, the Nike FC Cup.
Sale can now add 2023 League Champions to their list of accolades.
