Under 13 Season Review

The Under 13 Girls season has come to a conclusion after a long 20 round season which began back in March.

Brenton Loveridge took charge of the MUWFC Under 13 Girls side for 2019, taking over from Joe Papalia who moved up to take on the MUWFC Under 15 Girls side, with Danielle Loveridge assisting her father on the sidelines.

There were only 2 players that were still in the MUWFC Under 13 Girls team that played in the 2018 Championship winning side, being Sofia Orrico and Charlotte Simpson, while the age range of the team was anywhere from Mbalu Timbo at 9 years of age to 13 years old. Mbalu made the number 5 position in defence her own and and for a girl so young, didn’t let anyone take it from her. An outstanding effort.

The team had 4 first time players to the sport, in Olivia Sheehy, Jessica Fontanarosa, Deanna Caperna and Indiana Obbiettivo. The progression seen in these girls is something to be proud of, with the girls not understanding some football terms at the start of the season, but progressing to being starting eleven players by the end of the season. An effort that these girls, and their parents can be immensely proud of.

The team finished 6th in the Under 13 Girls Purple division, scoring 18 goals with 7 different goalscorers along the way. Ashlin Hayford lead the way with 6 goals and one of the most experienced players in Lucy Childs contributed well with 5 goals.

Twins Irene and Jennia Tsakyrios, who were new additions to the MUWFC family in 2019, were the smash sisters in midfield. Both girls absolutely owned the midfield and have extremely powerful engines, while being equally skilful. The opposition, (and the coaches) could only tell them apart by their boots.

Charlotte Simpson was ‘Miss Utility’ in the side, as she moved through almost every position before slotting into the number 7 role nicely. She is an attacking threat who was unstoppable when the ball was in her possession. As she moves up to Under 15s in 2020, she will be an attacking force to be reckoned with for opposition defences.

The highlight of the year was easily the last 2 games of the season, losing to 1st place West Adelaide 2-1 and drawing with 2nd place Modbury Jets 0-0. These were two games where the coaches could sit back and be proud of how far the girls have come throughout the year.

Only 4 girls progress to Under 15s in 2020, meaning the future Under 13s team is something to look forward to. Big things are coming for these young girls and the club as they continue honing their football skills.