Sophia Makrylos hat-trick seals a historic Cup win for Hellenic in the inaugural Women’s Challenge

Hellenic triumph in the first Women’s Challenge Cup Final despite a fierce challenge from the NT Yapas

Sophia Makrylos was Hellenic’s hero and the player of the match with her hat-trick against the NT Yapas in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final.

HELLENIC”S greater poise and ability to finish in front of goal has won them the inaugural Women’s Challenge Cup.

The Blues won 4-1 on the back of a Sophia Makrylos hat-trick in a game where several scoring chances were created by both sides.

Hellenic coach Matt Hajdic said the win added to his club’s long history of success.

“I’m very proud of the girls, they’ve worked very hard this season by taking it a game at a time and it’s good to see the rewards,’’ he said.

The Yapas should have scored as early as the 15th minute when J’noemi Anderson fired wide with the goal at her mercy.

The changing fortunes of the round ball game struck a minute later when Sophia Makrylos, — denied a goal minutes earlier when Yapas goalkeeper Sharna Edwards dived at her feet — produced a clinical finish to score for Hellenic.

Seven minutes later Makrylos was in again, running hard down the left wing to thump the ball past Edwards and make it 2-0.

The Yapas had their chances, but a lack of poise in front of goals and the good work of Hellenic stopper Carla Khasakhala ensured they remained scoreless at halftime.

Hellenic placed more pressure on their opponents when Rhiarna Myatt turned her opponent inside out on 30 minutes and scored her side’s third goal.

But any thoughts of a comfortable night for the Blues camp were shattered nine minutes into the second half.

Anderson showed all the poise of a veteran to collect a loose ball in the penalty box and shoot past Khasakhala to score her first goal in the round ball game.

The Yapas had another good player in ‘keeper Edwards, who saved several Hellenic forward thrusts in a tremendous performance.

Scoreboard - Hellenic 4 (S Makrylos 16, 23, 77; R Myatt 30) NT Yapas 1 (J Anderson 54)