A REMARKABLE TEAM EFFORT SAW OUR LIONS WOMEN DEFEAT THE GOLD COAST KNIGHTS 2-0 AT LUXURY PAINTS STADIUM
Our Lions Women started with incredible focus, moving the ball swiftly and effectively while denying a strong Gold Coast Knights side from creating any threat.
Meaghan McElligott won a penalty with our first dangerous chance of the game, bursting down the centre and into the box before being brought down from behind as she rounded the keeper. The pressure to convert fell on Mackenzie Nielsen’s shoulders, but she brushed it off and dispatched a composed penalty into the bottom left corner!
13′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Mackenzie Nielsen buries her penalty into the bottom left corner with composure 🔥🎯
𝐋𝐈𝐎 1 – 0 𝐆𝐂𝐊 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) February 22, 2025
A sly run off the shoulder saw Meaghan McElligott receive the ball at the far post, but her low shot was powered into the woodwork. Rachel Dudley guided a snapshot wide of the bottom right corner after slick interplay inside the box, and Tara O’Keeffe made a surgical sliding challenge down the other end to prevent the visitors from creating any threat.
With less than ten minutes remaining in the first half, Tara O’Keeffe made a deft run into the right side of the box, receiving the ball and curling a beautiful left-footed effort into the opposite side of the goal!
38′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
It’s TWO 🔥
Tara O’Keeffe curls a beautiful ball into the back of the net after a clever run into space! Incredible!
𝐋𝐈𝐎 2 – 0 𝐆𝐂𝐊 #HeartPridePassion | #NPLWQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) February 22, 2025
We entered the first half with a strong lead and prevented the Knights from managing a single shot.
We maintained our discipline, starting the second half with the same fierce determination and focus. Meaghan McElligott won a corner after carrying the ball forward and unleashing the ball from the edge of the box.
Our Lions Women remained in complete control as the game progressed, and Elli Chapple made several crucial catches to prevent any crosses from creating danger. Shianna Singh made a brilliant interception to prevent the ball from landing in dangerous territory at the back post!
Chelsea Fairbairn, Libby Cybulski, and Mackenzie Nielsen combined to make a treble of fearless and critical blocks from close range as Harriet Withers unleashed three attempts from close range.
In the final ten minutes, our Lions Women proudly threw their bodies on the line to prevent an increasingly desperate Knights side from finding the net.
Elli Chapple made a crucial one-v-one save in the dying moments, and our Lions Women saw out a beautiful 2-0 victory. Congratulations to everybody on a courageous performance and an incredible result.
MATCH DETAILS
NPL Women: Round 3
Lions FC 2 – 0 Gold Coast Knights
Luxury Paints Stadium, Richlands
