Lucy Kapusta scored the Comets’ second goal against the University of Melbourne at Princes Park on Sunday to give the team the lead for good as Casey went on to win 4-1.By Marc McGowan
CASEY Comets Soccer Club’s season continues to gather momentum after a scintillating 4-1 Women’s Premier League belting of a hapless University of Melbourne squad at Princes Park in Parkville on Sunday.
Since losing 3-0 to Sandringham in round six, the Comets have turned their season around.
A 2-2 draw with high-flier Box Hill preceeded round eight’s 4-0 success over Bendigo and last weekend’s easy win.
The victory has Casey on the verge of the top five as it faces an important match against the current fifth-placed, but faltering, Preston Lions on Sunday.
Sarah Fitzgerald has been white-hot during the streak, scoring braces in the last two rounds, and she was at it again against the University of Melbourne.
A high ball from star midfielder Rachel Lamb into the box dropped behind the waiting pack to a gleeful Fitzgerald, who pounded a half volley into the back of the net.
Keryn Walters managed to equalise for the opposition in the 20th minute, but the Comets, despite stuttering slightly for a 10-minute period, always appeared in control.
Lucy Kapusta capped Casey’s effort in the 41st minute to put her team a goal up at half-time.
It was a telling lead, as the Comets had a strong wind behind their backs in the second 45 minutes and powered home the advantage.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, Fitzgerald’s sensational form was put on display.
After taking the corner for Casey and passing to Jeni Black, Fitzgerald received the ball back and curled a brilliant 25-yard drive past the University of Melbourne’s goalkeeper.
Lamb added further pain to the hosts by slotting a late goal just minutes before full-time to cap off the offensive outburst.
Comets coach Deborah Nichols can feel the confidence surging through her side and hopes it can continue.
“It will be a good test this weekend,” she said.
“After all of the hard work over the last three weeks, we need to keep building and we can’t afford to slip up.
“The midfield is the key in most games you play and a solid midfield makes you very competitive in this league.”
Casey’s reserves claimed a 0-0 draw against University in the curtain raiser to record their first point of the season and move off the bottom of the ladder.
The blockbuster Preston match-up at Comets Stadium on Sunday kicks off with the reserves at 11am before the seniors battle at 1pm.
“If we do well in the next two games we can be in fifth spot, so hopefully we are in a happy mood again this time next week,” Nichols said.
