Three-peat perfection: Macarthur Rams claim third consecutive NPL Women’s championship
Macarthur Rams have done it again, securing their third consecutive NPL Women’s title with a final win over APIA Leichhardt. Read all about the history making finale.
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The Macarthur Rams and APIA Leichhardt have been arguably the two best teams in the NPL Women’s NSW for the past two seasons, so it was only fitting the two put on a grand final for the ages for the 2024 championship.
In front of an impressive crowd at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, the reigning champions and premiers Macarthur Rams bested APIA 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw after 120 minutes.
It was a fitting way to send off Rams coach Stephen Peters as he heads west to join Perth Glory as their new A-League Women’s coach for the next two seasons.
The defending champions started off the final perfectly, with a blocked cross from Bronte Trew pounced on by Kelli Brown just after the one minute mark to gift the Rams an early 1-0 lead.
APIA levelled the scores from their first opportunity just six minutes later, as Charlotte Lancaster found the back of the net from an expertly taken free kick just outside the box.
Rams captain and Western Sydney Wanderers defender Madison McComasky snatched the lead back before even halfway through the first half with a scrappy goal off a corner after 17 minutes.
From there the Rams settled more into their game but both sides struggled to maintain any real possession leading into the major break.
APIA came out of the sheds firing and it didn’t take them long to strike.
Lancaster delivered a short corner off to Sophie Hoban, who fed it back to Lancaster who delivered another brilliant cross to the head of Natasha Prior for their second goal of the night.
There were calls for a penalty for APIA after Rams substitute Lola Sossai fouled Mona Walker off the ball in the box, but appeals were quickly waved off by officials.
From there both teams locked down their defences and were unable to find a way through, forcing extra time.
APIA defender Paige Haywood gifted the Rams an advantage near the end of the first half of extra time, pulling back Rams’ forward Bronte Trew after she had beaten the last defender and earning herself a red card, reducing APIA to 10.
But still the Rams couldn’t find a way through and with scores remaining locked at 2-2 at the end of 120, the match was sent to penalties.
Melissa Caceres and Lancaster netted the opening penalties for the Rams and APIA respectively, before McComasky cleanly put her shot past keeper Sally James for the Rams to have the advantage.
Estelle Fragale didn’t look confident when heading to the spot for APIA and her effort was saved easily by keeper Teresa Morrissey.
It wasn’t over for APIA however, as Chelsea Barton sent her shot straight at James to give hope to the side.
Kelli Brown converted for the Rams and it was disaster again for APIA as Gisella Pipino shot straight at Morrissey, meaning it was down to the final Rams penalty taker in Libby Morris.
An expert chip over the goalie and into the corner from Morris sealed the Rams’ third consecutive championship, and their first premiership-championship double in that time.
Although it was a crushing result for APIA, it’s a positive sign for things to come under coach Brad Attard, who made the grand final in his first year at the helm.
Originally published as Three-peat perfection: Macarthur Rams claim third consecutive NPL Women’s championship
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