GALAXY United FC has contested its second consecutive WNPL grand final but again come away without the silverware, losing to South Melbourne FC in a penalty shootout.<\/p>\n
In Sunday\u2019s game at ABD Stadium, the Surf Coast-based senior women\u2019s soccer side fought back repeatedly to level the scores not only in regular time but also in extra time and the penalty shootout, but lost on penalties 5-4.<\/p>\n
South Melbourne first took the lead in the 21st minute after Lisa De Vanna scored, and doubled their advantage before half time through a goal to Natalie Martineau.<\/p>\n
Galaxy got one back in the 61st minute after midfielder Kariah White was knocked over in the box, Laura Spiranovic duly converting the penalty. White slotted home a goal of her own in the 72nd minute, squaring the scores at 2-2 and forcing the game into extra time.<\/p>\n
It only took minutes after the restart for South Melbourne to pull ahead again, Caitlin Greiser knocking the ball in from a rebound.<\/p>\n
Starting the second period of extra time down 3-2, Lujeyn Al-Huneidi equalised for the Galaxy to level the scores again and sparking frantic attacking play from both sides for no result.<\/p>\n
The game would be decided by penalties, and it was high drama as South Melbourne took an early 3-2 lead, before a save by Galaxy keeper Emily Kenshole and a goal from Al-Huneidi made it 3-3.<\/p>\n
Akeisha Sandhu put Galaxy ahead before South Melbourne\u2019s Alex Cheal levelled scores again at 4-4.<\/p>\n
Leigh Gray missed her shot for Galaxy, and Greiser nailed her penalty to give South Melbourne the win.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GALAXY United FC has contested its second consecutive WNPL grand final but again come away without the silverware, losing to South Melbourne FC in a penalty shootout. In Sunday\u2019s game at ABD Stadium, the Surf Coast-based senior women\u2019s soccer side fought back repeatedly to level the scores not only in regular time but also in […]<\/p>\n