A brace from Sophie Hancock, including a crucial striker with five minutes remaining, paved the way for the Illawarra Stingrays to secure a 3-2 win over Blacktown Spartans on Sunday.
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Hancock scored in both halves to help the Rays come from behind at Blacktown Football Park.
She pulled off a sensational run down the left flank and slotted past the keeper in clinical fashion in the first half before her clinical finish propelled Illawarra to three points.
Michelle Carney scored the Stingrays second goal from the penalty spot after goals from Amy Dah Dah and Samantha Nagy had the Spartans in front.
Illawarra’s triumph was made more impressive as they played without Matildas stars Caitlin Cooper and Michelle Heyman, who are in camp with the national team preparing for the Olympics.
Coach Earle Canvin said proved to his young side they can continuing succeeding without the star duo.
“The way we played has made any doubt that we can’t compete go away,” he said.
“The commitment of the players and their desire was what was most evident.
“I had a goalkeeper that got out of her sick bed to play. It was courage and commitment for the team.”
Illawarra host Marconi Stallions on Thursday night.