Melbourne Victory returned to the Westfield W-League summit and secured its spot in the finals after a 2-2 draw with Sydney FC on Sunday.
Summary
Victory came from behind twice at Lakeside Stadium to reach the finals for the first time since 2014.
Casey Dumont saved a Caitlin Foord penalty before Emily Gielnik cancelled out Alanna Kennedy’s first-half opener.
After Chloe Logarzo restored Sydney’s lead, Natasha Dowie struck to earn Victory a point.
Victory made a bright start but needed a penalty save from Dumont in the 10th minute to stay level.
Samantha Johnson was penalised for a foul in the area, but Dumont pushed away a spot-kick from Foord.
As both teams struggled to create chances, the Sky Blues took the lead in the 35th minute.
Dumont parried a Princess Ibini-Isei effort and Kennedy was on hand to volley in from close range.
In Victory’s best chance of the half, Laura Alleway headed a Christine Nairn set-piece wide in the 37th minute.
It took until the 68th minute for Victory to equalise, Gielnik firing a wonderful effort into the top corner after a Dowie pass.
But the Sky Blues immediately restored their lead thanks to a fine goal from Logarzo.
However, Dowie ensured Victory took a point, receiving a pass from Ella Mastrantonio before turning and finishing into the bottom corner.
Both teams searched for a winner, with Alleway hitting the post, but had to settle for a draw.
Result
Westfield W-League 2018/19 Round 13
Melbourne Victory 2 (Emily Gielnik 68′, Natasha Dowie 78′)
Sydney FC 2 (Alanna Kennedy 35′, Chloe Logarzo 71′)
Next up
Victory faces a short turnaround before making the trip to Perth to face the Glory on Friday, February 1.
