Category: News

Celebrations at Knox Football Centre during the women’s NPL juniors on Saturday. (PHOTO: Fiona Mardling)

NPL MEN / BOYS

NPL WOMEN / GIRLS

South Melbourne FC’s senior women opened their 2018 NPLW Victoria season with a 5-1 victory over the Senior NTC at Knox Football Centre on Saturday afternoon. Despite going a goal behind in the first half, Socrates Nicolaidis’ side was 2-1 ahead by the halftime break and stamped their authority in the second half to run out convincing winners.

Several first-team regulars in Alex Cheal, Alex Gummer, Melina Ayres and captain Tiffany Eliadis were missing either due to injury or resting after the recently completed W-League season. Vice captain Natalie Martineau was a substitute on the bench as South began the match with a very young side on the park and went a goal down when Ashley Jordan popped up at the far post to tap in a cross on 15 minutes. It wasn’t long before Julia Nicolaci slotted home the equalising goal, before 17-year-old Chelsea Blissett put South ahead with a calm left-footed finish.

14-year-old Betti Michael was put through on goal and neatly finished early in the second half. 15-year-old Sofia Sakalis, a South junior from the age of 6 who had just returned to the club from Melbourne City’s victorious W-League squad, was introduced in the second half and made an immediate impact. 18 minutes after entering the field, she hit a shot that went through a sea of legs to find the back of the net. Twelve minutes later, she scored a brilliant individual goal by gliding past several defenders into the penalty area before chipping goalkeeper Sophia Verley to complete a double on her senior debut for the club.

Post-match, Nicolaidis was pleased to get off the mark. “I said to the girls that after Round 1 [in 2017] we had no points, this year we’re already ahead [with three]. It was great to see the younger ones scoring goals today, overall we’re very happy.”

“There is so much exciting talent in Victoria and we want to create an environment at South Melbourne where we can be part of the solution for the Australian women’s team by bringing up these young players.”

FINAL SCORE: SENIOR NTC 1-5 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 1-2)

Goals:
1-0: Ashley Jordan (15′)
1-1: Julia Nicolaci (20′)
1-2: Chelsea Blissett (30′)
1-3: Betti Michael (52′)
1-4: Sofia Sakalis (65′)
1-5: Sofia Sakalis (77′)

Senior NTC:
32. Sophia Varley (GK), 3. Mia Lantieri-Bartley (c), 4. Claudia Mihocic, 5. Alana Cerne (14. Grace Taranto 62′), 6. Isabella Sewards, 9. Ashley Jordan, 10. Kelly Hei Lam (54. Meisha Simpson 76′), 11. Fran Lermano, 12. Niamh McLure (20. Georgie Richardson 68′), 18. Nia Stamatopoulos (7. Holly Furphy 62′), 19. Shaelan Chamoun (27. Katrina Nikpour 83′).

South Melbourne:
1. Cassandra Zaffina (GK), 2. Marianna Anthony, 4. Leah Scroggie, 5. Aimee Medwin, 7. Chelsea Blissett, 8. Jamie Pollock (c), 9. Julia Nicolaci, 12. Sarah Richardson (16. Sofia Sakalis 46′), 24. Christina Stefanou (10. Natalie Martineau 24′ [6. Tayler Stevens 72′]), 34. Paige Zois, 36. Betti Michael (27. Irene Paracki 69′).
Unused Substitute: Alexia Karatzikos (GK).

Senior NTC v SMFC – Knox Football Centre – Saturday 24 February 2018 at 3pm

Despite losing the FFV Community Shield 2-1 against Calder United last Friday night, coach Socrates Nicolaidis saw only encouraging signs. “It was a good opportunity for the younger players to have a run as some of our returning W-League players needed a break between seasons. The fact that a 14-year-old (Paige Zois) scored a cracking goal for us was very exciting and shows that there’s some great talent coming through that can hopefully feature in the senior side throughout the season.

Looking ahead to the opening league match at against Senior NTC on Saturday, Nicolaidis is confident of winning the three points to get the women’s title defence underway “We still have those W-League players to return and possibly a few others. Last season showed we had strong depth which covered us throughout the season and I believe we are similar, if not stronger, this year. We started the 2017 season with a loss [at Box Hill], so hopefully we get the three points this year.”

Last Five Meetings – click individual game for highlights (2017 only)
2017 (R26): SMFC 9-0 Senior NTC (Knox Football Centre)
2017 (R17): SMFC 9-2 Senior NTC (Lakeside Stadium)
2017 (R08): SMFC 5-2 Senior NTC (Lakeside Stadium)
2015 (R12): Senior NTC 2-1 SMFC (State Football Centre)
2015 (R01): SMFC 3-1 Senior NTC (Broadmeadows Park)

Overall Head to Head:
Played: 5
SMFC Wins: 4
Senior NTC wins: 1
Draws: 0

South Melbourne FC would like to announce the signing of Tayler Stevens ahead of the NPLW season opener on Saturday afternoon.

The Queensland born Stevens, joins us following a brilliant season as captain of Souths United in 2017.

The 22 year old is a hard working and composed defender, while also being a leader on her park. This has been proven by the various leadership roles that she has been given throughout past three seasons, as well as being selected in the NPLW Queensland Team of Year in 2017.

Her versatility to play in any position across the back four and as a defensive midfielder is also a strength of her game and something that will be of benefit to Socrates Nicolaidis.

Speaking to smfc.com.au. SMFC Women’s Football Director was pleased to welcome Tayler to the club. “We are pleased to have Tayler join the club for the upcoming season.
With her experience in Queensland’s NPLW competition and flexibility across the back four, we are looking forward to having a fantastic player join us for Round 1.”

We would like to welcome Stevens to the club and wish her all the best for the upcoming season.

South Melbourne FC can confirm that we have have bolstered our squad ahead of the NPLW Victoria opener, signing Young Matildas star Sofia Sakalis from Melbourne City.

Sakalis is one of the hottest prospects in Australian football, playing a leading role with the Young Matildas at the 2017 AFC Under 16 Women’s Championship tournament in Vietnam. As part of this, Sakalis scored 11 times in 5 games, ensuring that Australia qualified for the AFC U16 Women’s Champoinships in Thailand.

Her superb form with country and throughout her time at the NTC saw Sakalis sign with Melbourne City in this season’s W-League. In what was a huge achievement, she managed to play in a competitive senior match at age 15 and
was part of the squad that most recently won the W-League championship.

Speaking to smfc.com.au. SMFC Women’s Football Director was pleased to welcomed Sofia back to the club. “It is great to welcome a former junior of ours back home. We’ve been proud to see her grow as a talented young
footballer and young lady and therefore we are extremely pleased to have her back at Lakeside for the upcoming season. Along with Melina Ayres, its very exciting that we have two of the brightest prospects of women’s football at the club.

We would llke to welcome Sofia to the club and wish her the best as a South player in 2018.

South Melbourne FC would like to confirm the addition of four players to its NPLW senior roster ahead of the 2018 season opener this week.

Sarah Richardson is the first addition, who will be joining the club from Heidelberg United. The hard working and creative midfielder has a wealth of experience in Victoria’s top flight, having played with Bundoora United and Bendigo Vipers in the Women’s Premier League. As part of this, she also spent numerous years with the FFV State Squad and Melbourne Victory Women’s team.

In her time with Bendigo, she also burst onto the scene as a highly talented youngster, while also winning the WPL Golden Boot in the 2010 season.

Joining Richardson in midfield will be Championship Winner Julia Nicolaci, who has re-signed for the 2018 season. Nicolaci was an integral part of midfield in our WNPL Championship last season and will once again provide us with another fantastic attacking option.

As well as the experienced duo, the club has also promoted both Chelsea Blisset and Leah Scroggie from last season’s Under 18 squad. Having played in senior matches at times throughout the second half of last season, the club is excited to promote two fantastic young prospects into the senior squad.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Director of Women’s Football Gabrielle Giuliano was pleased with the four additions to the squad. “it is exciting to welcome a combination of both experience and youth to our senior squad for the upcoming season. While we are certain that both Sarah and Julia will add a tremendous amount of experience and quality into our midfield, we are also very excited to see some of our youth prospects also given a chance to grow as footballers. We wish them all the best for the upcoming season.”

The club would also like to confirm that championship winners Antonia Niteros, Victoria Argyropoulos and Caitlin Greiser will sit out the 2018 season, with the trio taking a year off for personal reasons. SMFC would like to thank each of them for their contributions to the club and wishes them the best for the upcoming year without football.

Photo by Rachel Bach

South Melbourne FC’s senior women’s side began the 2018 season with a narrow 2-1 loss against Calder United in the FFV Community Shield at Kingston Heath on Friday night.

Several first-team players were missing as they were having a short break following W-League commitments over the summer. Nevertheless, South coach Socrates Nicolaidis still had the experience of Alex Cheal, Aimee Medwin, Julia Nicolaci, Jamie Pollock, new signing (and returning player) Marianna Anthony plus newly appointed captain Tiffany Eliadis to rely on against Calder.

The first half was a disappointing affair that saw Cheal withdrawn from the field due to injury as South conceded two goals to be 2-0 down at the break. Eliadis was moved further up the field in the second half as several younger squad players were elevated from the youth sides and given their opportunity to play senior football. That show of faith was rewarded with a fantastic strike from 14-year-old Paige Zois to pull the score back to 2-1, which ultimately was the final score.

Post-match, Nicolaidis was disappointed with the result but was pleased with the second half performance. “It was a game of two halves…in the second half we gave the opportunity to several 14 and 15-year-olds and they did very well. We have been monitoring Paige for a while and are so pleased to finally have her at the club…she is one to watch for the future.”

Eliadis shared her views on her appointment as captain. “Firstly it is an honour to be given the captain’s armband. [Alex] Cheal has been an outstanding leader at this club for many years but now that she’s decided to take a step back as captain, I’m going to step up and take the leadership.”

Another positive was the return of goalkeeper Cassandra Zaffina from injury, having last played senior football against Alamein on 2 April 2017.

South’s first NPLW Victoria assignment is against the Senior NTC side at the Knox Regional Football Centre this Saturday 24 February, with kickoff at 3pm.

FINAL SCORE: CALDER UNITED 2-1 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 2-0)

SMFC Goalscorer: Paige Zois (74′)

SMFC Starting XI: 1. Cassandra Zaffina (GK), 2. Marianna Anthony, 4. Leah Scroggie, 5. Aimee Medwin, 7. Chelsea Blissett, 8. Jamie Pollock, 9. Julia Nicolaci, 13. Tiffany Eliadis (c), 14. Alex Cheal, 24. Christina Stefanou, 35. Maryam Anvari.

SMFC Substitutes: 1. Alexia Karatzikos (GK), 10. Natalie Martineau, 12. Sarah Richardson, 27. Irene Paracki, 31. Sophie Papatsanis, 34. Paige Zois, 36. Betti Michael.

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce Tiffany Eliadis as Senior Women’s captain and Natalie Martineau as vice captain ahead of the 2018 season.

Eliadis, a South junior, made her first team debut in April 2010 at only 14 years of age. With the exception of the 2016 season, she has been part of the senior setup ever since, playing nearly 150 league matches and scoring 91 league goals. She has been part of four South championships (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017) and three premierships (2013, 2014, 2017). Individually, she has won the FFV Gold Medal twice (2013, 2014), the Women’s Premier League golden boot (2013, 2014) and last year was judged as the best player on the field in SMFC’s penalty shootout triumph over Geelong Galaxy in the Grand Final.

Canadian-born Martineau joined SMFC in 2013 from Louisiana State University in the USA. She made her league debut in April of that year and has since amassed 112 league games, scoring 23 goals. The Canadian U20 international remained with the club when it was excluded from the inaugural NPLW season in 2016. She has been an integral part of four championships (2014-2017) and four premierships (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). She was the best player on the field in the 2014 Women’s Premier League grand final and State League One’s best player in 2016. Nat has represented Victoria twice and has won several club awards.

Speaking with smfc.com.au, SMFC Women’s Football Director Gabrielle Giuliano shared her thoughts on the appointments. “Both Tiff and Nat are great leaders and have shown a great love for the club. Apart from one season, Tiff has been with us since she was a young girl and Nat showed tremendous loyalty by sticking with us when we dropped a level in 2016. I’ve got no doubt that both will do a fine job as we look to defend our championship status this season.”