CVL | Gallery | Shepparton United ends regular season on a high

By Daniel Webb

Aug 29, 2022

Good times: Shepparton United’s Maria Villani celebrates a goal with Pippa Grabham. Photo by Aydin Payne

Shepparton United secured second spot on the Central Victorian League One Women’s ladder on Sunday, producing a thrilling come-from-behind win at McEwen Reserve, Shepparton.

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Playing host to fifth-placed Strathdale, United went into half-time a goal down, with second-half strikes to captain Maria Villani and Rebekah Lawson enough to get the side over the line.

United coach Lucy Ciancio said it was good to finish the season with a win.

“The girls were so excited,” Ciancio said.

“At first I thought we weren’t going to finish with a win because Strathdale came out strong and played really well.

Shoulder to shoulder: Shepparton United’s Taiba Jamshaid battles with her opponent. Photo by Aydin Payne

“It took half-time and a conversation for our girls to get back out in the second half and smash it and they did the job very well.”

Ciancio said Villani and Lawson were standouts, with the duo working hard for the entire contest.

Goal scorer: Shepparton United’s Rebekah Lawson converts a penalty. Photo by Aydin Payne

She said the result booked a place with first-placed Strathfieldsaye Colts United in week one of the finals, with the winner going straight through to the big dance.

“I hope we will go straight to the grand final,” she said.

“If not we will get another opportunity against the winner of the third against fourth game.”