FOOTBALL
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
South Coast's brave campaign ended at the hands of Sydney Olympic at Lambert Park on Sunday.
The Wolves were bundled out of the title race in a 2-0 loss in their elimination semi-final.
Goals from Dimitri Hatzimouratis and Harris Gaitatzis sent Jacob Timpano's men packing for season 2015.
It ended a remarkable run under the former A-League defender, who joined midway through the campaign when the Wolves were second from bottom in the league.
"I am proud the way we made the finals because we weren't expected to be here and it proved a lot of people wrong. We were unfortunate not to take that step further," Timpano said.
"I said to remember the feeling in the change room after the game and use that as motivation for further years and learn from the experience.
"Hopefully we can get better at finals football next time."
Hatzimouratis's opener came 37 minutes into the clash.
Some neat work from Brayden Sorge and Scott Balderson on the right wing saw a cross whipped in for Hatzimouratis to score.
The Wolves pressed for an equaliser in the second stanza but couldn't find the telling blow.
Jordan Murray shaved the crossbar with a fine strike and had a one-on-one with Paul Henderson in the Olympic goal.
Peter Simonoski also couldn't find the net with a header.
South Coast's push for the leveller would be costly, though, as Gaitatzis added to the scoreboard.
The smooth attacker finished superbly in the 82nd minute to kill off the Wolves' hopes.
"We held them out for the first 30 minutes which is what we planned to do. They are a good side and we did that but then we conceded before half-time," Timpano said.
"They probably had the better of the first half but the second half I was proud the way we came out and took the game to Olympic.
"We had a couple of chances which could have made the game interesting if they fell in our favour. Unfortunately they didn't go our way.
"I am proud of the boys with what they have done over the past eight weeks and even [on Sunday] they didn't give up to the last minute."
Timpano is yet to commit to another season with the Wolves but said he was keen to stay on for another campaign at the club he once captained.
Sydney Olympic will now take on APIA Leichhardt in the next stage of finals.