After only winning four games last season, the Illawarra Stingrays have started 2021 on the right foot, claiming a 2-1 win over Football NSW Institute on Sunday.
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First half goals to captain Michelle Carney and Talitha Kramer set up victory at Valentine Sports Park. It was the Stingrays' first game of the NSW Women's NPL season, after their round one clash with the Emerging Jets on April 4 was postponed.
Rays coach Bruce Tilt said it was a great team performance, but particularly gave credit to goalkeeper Sophie Emery.
"She got a hand to the penalty and was unlucky not to keep it out. But it was a confident display between the sticks," he said.
"As a team, you sort of worry about travelling up to Sydney for your first game, on a nice warm day, that everyone looks for an excuse. But we jumped out of the blocks straight away, enjoyed plenty of possession and territory early, and got two quick goals. And I think that's what set it up for us at the end of the day."
The Stingrays will return home to face Northern Tigers at JJ Kelly Park this Sunday afternoon.
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
