Women’s National Premier League soccer season set for kick-off

THE introduction of a finals series has SA women’s soccer contenders hopeful of dislodging the big two this year.

1/3/16 Women's Premier League Soccer Captains Kris Swaffer from Cumberland United, Thomai Kezios from Fulham United, Bianca Gray from Sturt Marion, Jasmine Hurst from Para Hills Knights, Isabella Scazzi from Adelaide City, Chrissa Pavlomanolakos from West Adelaide, Ellie Bills from Adelaide University and Ebony Weidenbach from Metro United at Adelaide Shores Football Centre. Picture: MATT LOXTON

THE introduction of a finals series has SA women’s soccer contenders hopeful of dislodging the big two this year.

The restructured Women’s National Premier League kicks off this Friday night featuring eight clubs in a 21-round regular season.

Reigning league and cup winner Metro United is again expected to lead the charge along with last year’s runner-up in both competitions, Adelaide City.

Fulham United is among the chasing pack aiming to upset the odds.

The 2014 wooden-spooner rose to fourth last season and has recruited former Adelaide United W-League striker Victoria Balamenos and Lady Reds goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins.

Captain Thomai Kezios says the top-four playoffs offer further incentive for progress.

“We want to use last year as a stepping stone and hopefully this season we can take that next step,” the centre back says.

“We’ve brought in some new players so hopefully after those first few games we’ll start to gel.

“Adding the finals series to the league and the cup is another thing to aspire to.

“There’s three things to win this year so we want to be up there challenging for all of them.”

The WNPL will feature two Friday night double headers each week at the Parks and Adelaide Shores football centres.

Para Hills captain Jasmine Hurst is another eyeing a top-four berth after the young Knights finished sixth last campaign.

“We’re a very equal team and don’t rely on one star player,” Hurst, 19, says.

“We’ve been around that mid-table for a while so hopefully we can push it a bit harder this year.

“It will definitely help having finals to play for.

“You always play better when something is on the line.”

Metro has lost last year’s 38-goal striker Marijana Rajcic to a torn ACL as it looks to win its third top flight title.

Adelaide City, which last claimed the league in 2014, will be buoyed by its 4-0 Charity Cup win over the defending champion last month.

West Adelaide (third last season) and Adelaide University (fifth) will again be among the challengers.

Lady Red Tiarn Powell will spearhead Sturt Marion’s quest for improvement, while Cumberland United will hope to better last season’s solitary win.

ROUND ONE FIXTURES

West Adelaide v Sturt Marion

Adelaide City v Para Hills

Cumberland United v Adelaide University

Metro United v Fulham United