Macarthur Rams will still be celebrating today after winning the grand final against Northern Tigers 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shootout yesterday to be crowned 2022 NPLWNSW champions.
After the game an emotional Rams coach Stephen Peters was overwhelmed with everything that had taken place.
“How we don’t win that game in 90 minutes I don’t know,” Peters said.
“I thought we were brilliant from start to finish, the Tigers had a late flurry, I thought they had a better reaction after half time, but our girls just got it inside and the motivation was clear from the start.”
The triumphant end to the season was an extra special moment for two Rams legends as Kylie Ledbrook ended her playing career while long time club administrator Rob Laws also will be departing from his position.
“It’s something that has been a big burden for her and for us to be able to do that for her is massive,” the championship winning coach said.
“Not only that but Rob Laws who basically runs our club is also retiring.”
The two sides could not be split after 120 minutes, neither being able to find the goal needed for victory.
But as Peters said the Rams should have wrapped it up after 90 minutes, and they would have if it wasn’t for the heroics of Morgan Aquino, the Tigers goalkeeper.
As everyone knows, once it gets to a penalty shootout in a game of football, it’s more or less a lottery.
This one was no different, but at least it was the better team that won the lottery at Valentine Sports Park yesterday afternoon.
In the end, it was goalie Shamira Khamis that did the job to bring the trophy to Campbelltown.
With the Rams in front 6-5 it was sudden death, but a cool, calm and collected Khamis saved from Abbey Green to secure the championship for the Rams.
And then, finally, the celebrations could begin.
