Caroline Springs George Cross held its nerve to secure the Steph Catley Plate for the first time.
The cup is for the highest state league teams left in the Nike F.C Cup competition.
The final between the Georgies and the Manningham United Blues was a thriller.
Minami Yamasaki opened the scoring in the first minute of the game for the Georgies giving them the perfect start.
The Blues hit back in the dying minutes to send the game straight to penalties, with the Georiges winning the plate, 4-3 on penalties.
Georgies general manager Liza Djuric said it was the first plate win for their women’s side. She said they felt confident that the group could get the job done.
“We have been building for the last five years since moving to City Vista,” she said.
“We have really tried to build the foundations of the program from the grassroots up to senior football.
“This year is one of the strongest years that we’ve had. There is great belief in the girls and great coaching staff and support.
“Everyone has come together.”
Djuric said walking into the halls of the home of Matildas was pretty special for the group having never been on that stage before.
She said being in that environment was something different and a a really good feeling for the club.
Davide Gualtieri took over as coach this season.
Gualtieri said he always had confidence in the playing group despite a couple of injuries at training on Thursday night.
“We put ourselves under a lot of pressure and we want to get the Georgies’ women’s side where they belong, in a higher grade,” he said.
“Our senior team is third, our reserves are second and we’ve now won the cup. We want to bring the Georgies to the NPL.
Gualtieri said he would normally prefer to pass from where the opening shot was, but Yamasaki decided to take the risk and it paid off.,
“I couldn’t be angry with her,” he said.
Gualtieri said they felt they dominated the game but weren’t able to make the most of their opportunities.
It kept the door open for the Blues who equalised in the 87th minute.
Gualtieri said he was glad there was no extra time.
“It was hot and sunny and the girls were tired,” he said. “The girls that took the penalties were 19, 20, 21 and 23.
“They are very young and they had to step up and take responsibility which made it even greater.”
Gualtieri , who had been assistant coach when Essendon Royals won the trophy a couple of years ago, said a lot of hard work had been put in to get them to this spot.
While the Georgies have won the plate, there’s still plenty of work to do.
They currently sit second on the FV state league 1 north-west ladder, four points behind Clifton Hill.
Only the top side earns promotion.
Djuric said they know it will be tough but winning the plate will definitely add more motivation and drive for the group.
