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Woodbridge Strikers 1 - Durham United FC 1

By lo admin, 09/20/15, 12:30PM EDT

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Woodbridge Strikers 1 - Durham United FC 1

Sun Sep 20 
Written By: Staff, League1
 

In a clash of the top two teams in the women's division - and the only two with a chance of winning the title - a loss for either Woodbridge or Durham would have been catastrophic for the loser.

Instead, the two heavy-weights shared the points after Stephanie Lamanna (15') handed the hosts an early lead, and Hollie Babut (79') equalized late in the match.

"The outstanding player today was Stephanie Lamanna (’98) in the first half," said Woodbridge coach, Joe Parolini.

"She not only pressured the Durham back-line, but was always dangerous when she had the ball and scored the WSC lone goal of the day on a beautiful run where she not only beat the two CBs, but also deked the GK and tucked the ball in the back of the net."

WS: APRIL SYME

Woodbridge's slim lead would endure until late in the match, when Hollie Babut found the equalizer for the visitors.

"In the second half April Syme & Diana DaRocha controlled the mid along with Alyscha Mottershead as WSC kept the majority of the possession but could not find the second goal," added Parolini.

"The bigger challenge was finding the back of the net in the first half. The game should have been put away early with at least three or four goals but either their GK came up big or we just simply did not finish our chances. You cannot keep a team like Durham around and give them a chance to equal. Our lack of finishing cost us the three points."

DUFC: NORA ABOLINS

While Durham's finishing edge would prove to be sharp enough to bring them back into the match, their standout performer was exceptional in keeping their net free of any further goals.

"The MVP for Durham was definitely their GK, Nora Abolins, who made an unbelievable save on a rocket of a shot by April Syme from 30 yards out that was headed to the top left corner," said Parolini.

"Nora just got her fingers on the ball to deflect it enough," he added. "One of the best shots and saves of the year."

DUFC: HOLLIE BABUT

Stage is now set for the week ahead as Durham needs only four points to clinch the women's division championship, and have two matches on their horizon: Wednesday September 23 vs. Vaughan Azzurri at McNaughton Turf, Maple - 7 p.m. kickoff, and Saturday September 26 vs. ANB Futbol at Country Day School, King City - 4 p.m. kickoff.

Woodbridge has two matches remaining in their season - a home date with Sanjaxx Lions, and an away date with Pro Stars (date and location TBA) - and will have fingers crossed for Durham to slip up and leave an opportunity for Strikers to continue their title bid.