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Durham Takes Down Sanjaxx 3-0 At Monarch Park

By Duane Rollins, 09/18/16, 2:45PM EDT

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Although defending their 2015 women's title was off the table, Durham United was still motivated heading into Saturday's encounter with last place Sanjaxx.

"Our goal for this game was to finish third and we did that, so I'm satisfied with it," Durham United coach Kwame Waifi said regarding his team's 3-0 win.

Durham had to fight for everything on the day, despite Sanjaxx coming into the game with just one win. The home team played a spirited contest, but ultimately their lack of experience was their downfall.

"We knew they were a struggling team, but the thing with playing a struggling team is if you give them a little confidence then suddenly they can surprise," Waifi said.

After a strong start by Sanjaxx, Durham caught them on the break in the 11th minute with Hollie Babut showing good speed and touch to get behind a stretched back-line before firing it through the charging keeper.

It stayed that way until the 52nd minute when a seemingly innocent ball into the box fell between two defenders and onto the waiting foot of Gevena Winterink.

Despite being two goals down, Sanjaxx kept pushing forward, which left them vulnerable at the back. Simone Chiodo benefited from a break to finish calmly past the diving keeper.

Finishing the game, Sanjaxx captain Sona Makulova remained buoyant.

"We're a young team and it shows sometimes, but we played hard. We're happy with how we played."