Melbourne Victory clinched a second Westfield W-League championship after a thrilling 1-0 extra-time win over Sydney FC on Sunday.
Summary
Kyra Cooney-Cross scored a 120th-minute winner directly from a corner to give Victory its first championship since 2013/14.
Victory had squandered numerous chances before Cooney-Cross delivered at Jubilee Stadium.
While Victory made a bright start, Sydney captain Teresa Polias saw a corner hit the crossbar, although goalkeeper Gaby Garton looked to have it covered.
Victory went close to an opening goal through Cooney-Cross in the 12th minute.
The Victory star cut inside from the left before unleashing a powerful right-footed effort from 18 yards, hitting the crossbar.
De Vanna had a shot blocked after a smart turn before the encounter settled.
Sydney had a decent chance shortly after the half-hour mark, but Garton made a comfortable low save to deny Clare Wheeler.
Victory hit the woodwork again on the stroke of half-time as De Vanna’s header from a Cooney-Cross delivery struck the crossbar.
Annalie Longo and Catherine Zimmerman tested Jada Whyman with efforts from range to begin the second half before the former fired over from inside the area on the hour-mark.
Melina Ayres was the next to shoot from distance, her 25-yard strike flying well over following a pass from De Vanna.
Victory continued to look the more likely to open the scoring and Zimmerman put another effort over the crossbar under heavy pressure following a cutback from Amy Jackson.
The visitor continued to push for a winner in regulation time and Cooney-Cross was denied by a miraculous Whyman save in the 83rd minute, while Claudia Bunge almost found an injury-time goal.
The first chance in extra-time came via Longo, whose excellent long-range strike was well saved by Whyman.
An excellent volley from Longo was palmed over by Whyman in the 104th minute before Cooney-Cross saw a side-footed effort blocked.
De Vanna fired another chance wide from inside the area in the second half of extra-time before Ayres missed an opportunity from close range with five minutes remaining.
The winner would finally arrive from Cooney-Cross.
The star spectacularly curled in directly from a corner in the final minute to give Victory its win.
Result
Westfield W-League 2020/21 Grand Final
Sydney FC 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (Kyra Cooney-Cross 120′)
